Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Renaissance palace museum in Florence, Italy
Palazzo Medici Riccardi is a Renaissance city palace in Florence that now serves as a museum and houses administrative offices. The building shows a facade of rough-hewn stone on the ground floor that becomes gradually smoother on the upper levels and features evenly arranged arched windows.
Cosimo de Medici commissioned architect Michelozzo in 1444 to design a representative residence that would express power without appearing overly ostentatious. The Riccardi family acquired the palace in the 17th century and commissioned new ceiling paintings and extensions that reflect the baroque taste of the period.
The family displayed ancient sculptures in the courtyard and reception rooms to demonstrate learning and collecting passion. Visitors today can still see the chapel with its rich gold decoration, which was once accessible only to the closest confidants.
The museum is located on Via Cavour, just a few minutes' walk from the cathedral, and is well signposted. The rooms on the ground floor and first floor are accessible for wheelchair users, while the upper floors are reached by stairs.
In the courtyard stands a copy of the Judith statue by Donatello, while the original is now in Palazzo Vecchio. Michelozzo designed a new concept for this building in which the facade was meant to show the social standing of the residents without provoking other families.
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