Loggia del Grano, 17th-century grain market and former theater near Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy
Loggia del Grano is a rectangular building with an open ground floor arcade supported by columns and an upper section that once stored grain for the city. Today it combines retail and dining spaces while maintaining its original architectural character.
Grand Duke Cosimo II commissioned architect Giulio Parigi in 1619 to build this marketplace, taking over the grain distribution role that Orsanmichele had previously served. The structure was designed to meet the city's practical needs at that time.
A marble bust of Cosimo II by Chiarissimo Fancelli adorns the building's facade, and the Mascherone fountain sits at its corner, making the space feel connected to Florence's artistic heritage. These artworks give the building a sense of importance and remind visitors of the city's Renaissance past.
The building sits at the corner of Via de' Neri and Via dei Castellani, making it easy to find near the Uffizi Gallery exit. Its open arcade allows you to walk through it freely and get a sense of how people used the space.
The upper floors shifted from grain storage to a theater, then became the Edison cinema, before turning into a dining venue. This transformation shows how the space adapted to changing needs over time.
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