pitti palace (Palazzo Pitti) florence
A symbol of wealth and power in the City of Florence, Palazzo Pitti was inhabited first by the Medici, then by the Habsburg-Lorraines, and, after the unification of Italy, by the Savoy family. Among all the Florentine palaces, the Palazzo Pitti is the largest and most impressive of them all. There are a number of museums inside Palazzo Pitti, many of which are prestigious and well known: the Palatina Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Fashion and Costume, as well as the Museum of the Treasury of the Grand Dukes. Visitors to Florence should not miss out on a visit to Palazzo Pitti as it is a must for anyone who wishes to spend a holiday there.
Pitti palace history
Palace Pitti has a deeply rooted history connected to royal dynasties. Three noble families have lived here throughout history: the Medici, the Lorena, and the Savoy.
In the 15th century, Luca Pitti, a vengeful rival of the Medicis, inherited the palazzo from the Pitti family. The Medici family, led by Cosimo the Elder (il Vecchio), asked Brunelleschi to design a private palace for the Medici family. The palace Medici Riccardi, however, was built by Michelozzo, not Brunelleschi, which Cosimo the Elder rejected because it was too lavish and extravagant.
Pitti, wanting a residence larger than that of the Medici, contacted Brunelleschi (or his pupil Luca Fancelli) directly and requested that he construct the magnificent and lavish building rejected by the Medici for his own family. Palazzo Pitti, Florence’s largest private building, was built that way in 1440.
A palace designed by Pitti would have had windows as large as those in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi’s main door. In fact, it was so large that it could hold the entire building of the enemy family in its courtyard. Sadly, the Pitti family’s dream was dashed when economic ruin forced the family to stop construction in 1464. In time, the Strozzi family and Palazzo Strozzi would suffer the same fate.
In 1550, Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de Medici and daughter of the viceroy of Naples, acquired Palazzo Pitti. The Duchess was looking for a healthier location for herself and her children, away from the hectic city life of the Palazzo Vecchio. It was the residence of the ruling family at the time.
Pitti palace TOURS AND TICKETS 2023
Pitti palace opening hours and ticket price
OPENING HOURS
Monday through Sunday, 8.15 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
CLOSING DAYS
Mondays, 1 January, 25 December
Notes – The ticket office closes an hour before the museum closes for the day.
TICKETS
Full price: € 9,00
Reduced price: € 2,00 (visitors between 18 and 25 years old)
Combined Pitti + Boboli (single price): €22,00
You can check more details from the official website of the Pitti palace
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How much time do you need at Pitti Palace?
The Pitti Palace visit can be completed in an average of two hours if you wish to see all the highlights.
Is Pitti Palace worth visiting?
In a nutshell, the answer is yes. There are many reasons why the Palazzo Pitti stands as one of Florence’s most important palaces, and its combination of splendor, history, and the collection of artworks it houses makes it one of the most popular attractions in the city.
What is inside Palazzo Pitti?
Inside the Palazzo Pitti, you will find four main sections. A stunning collection of sculptures and paintings can be found in each section of the museum. On the ground floor, you will find the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, the Palatine Gallery and the Imperial and Royal Apartments on the first floor, the Gallery of Modern Art on the second floor, and the Museum of Costume and Fashion on the third floor.
Is Galleria palatina the same as Pitti Palace?
There is no doubt that the Galleria Palatina, or the Platine Gallery, is the beating heart of the Pitti Palace. You can find works of art by artists such as Botticelli, Titian, Veronese, Caravaggio, and Rafael, among others, within this gallery. Both the Medicis and the Lorraine families have collected these works over the course of their history.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Opening days and times 2023
Opening hours
Monday through Sunday, 8.15 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Closed on
Mondays, 1 January, 25 December
Ticket prices
Full price: € 9,00
Reduced price: € 2,00 (visitors between 18 and 25 years old)
Combined Pitti + Boboli (single price): €22,00
How to get there
Address: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze
