Page 296 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

294  CENTR AL IT AL Y

r Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio have
been at the heart of Florence’s political and
social life for centuries. The great bell once
used to summon citizens to parlamento (public
meetings) here, and the square has long been
a popular promenade for both visitors and
Florentines. The piazza’s statues (some are
copies) commemorate the city’s major historical
events, though its most famous episode is
celebrated by a simple pavement plaque near
the loggia: the execution of the fanatical
religious leader Girolamo Savonarola.
David
This copy of the famous
Michelangelo statue
symbolizes triumph over
Heraldic Frieze tyranny. The original
The crossed keys (see p279) stood in the
on this shield piazza until 1873.
represent Medici
papal rule.

KEY
1 The Fontana di Nettuno,
created by Ammannati (1575), repre­
sents the Roman sea god surrounded
by water nymphs and commemorates
Tuscan naval victories.
2 Sala dei Gigli
3 The Uffizi
4 The Loggia dei Lanzi, designed
by Orcagna (1382), is named after
the Lancers, the bodyguards of Salone dei
Cosimo I who were billeted here. Cinquecento (1495)
5 Roman statues, possibly of This vast chamber
emperors, line the Loggia. contains a statue
of Victory by
6 The Marzocco is a copy of the Michelangelo and
heraldic lion of Florence, carved by frescoes by Vasari
Donatello in 1420. The original is in describing Florentine
the Bargello (see p287). triumphs over Pisa
and Siena.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp569–73 and pp590–96

294-295_EW_Italy.indd 294 26/04/16 5:17 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.9)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm