Situated on the south side of the River Arno, connected with Ponte Vecchio by the famous Corridoio Vasariano, the palace has been originally build as a residence of Luca Pitti, a Florentine banker. The windows of palazzo were designed to be bigger than main entrance to the rivals property – Palazzo Medici. The over ambitious plans brought the financial troubles to the Pitti family, and finally the palace has been aquired by the Medici in 1549. Along with Palazzo Vecchio became the main residence of Medici, and later Lorraine of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
For several years Palazzo Pitti became the house for Elisa Baciocchi, when she was given as a gift the city of Florence by her brother Napoleon.
Changed to the Royal Palace at the end of the 19th century, when Florence for short time became the capital of Italy.
In 1919 king Victor Emmanuel III gave the palace to the nation of Italy, and at present the museum is under control of government driven organization ‘Polo Museale Fiorentino’.
The huge former property of Medici today is separated into : Palazzo Pitti , Boboli Gardens and Forte di Belvedere.
The museums in Palace are as follow:
Galleria Palatina
the he first floor chambers of the piano nobile host unique collection of over 500 mainly
Renaissance paintings, including works by Raphael, Titian, Correggio and Rubens.
Appartamenti Monumentali (Royal Apartments)
the entrance from gallery leads to a suite of 14 rooms, formerly residence of Medici family and later of Kings of Italy.
Galleria del Costume
exhibits theatrical costumes and garments worn by Italian aristocracy in 18th and 19th centuries
Museo degli Argenti ( Silver Museum )
preserves the vast Medic collection of silverware,golden items, Rome glass and Pietra dura vases, presenting enormous family’s wealthness.
Galleria d’Arte Moderna ( Modern Art Gallery )
Shows Italian paintings from 19th -20th centuries, includung works by Tuscany group ‘Macchiaioli’ ( Italian impressionism ) : Giovanni Fattori, Silvestro Lega and Telemaco Signorini.
Porcelain Museum ( in the Boboli Gardens )
The former building of ‘Casino del Cavaliere’ in the Rose Garden today displays the examples of porcelain from European leading factories, including Sèvres and Meissen.
Piazza de’ Pitti, 1
50125 Firenze (Toscana), Italy
+39 055 2388614
Open: Tue – Sun 8.15 – 18.50
Guides: florence
