Palazzo dei Cerchi, Medieval palace in central Florence, Italy.
Palazzo dei Cerchi is a stone structure positioned at the intersection of three streets in central Florence, featuring regularly laid stone blocks and arches at ground level. The building stretches across multiple levels with shops and storage spaces on the lower floors and residential quarters above.
Construction took place between the late 13th and early 14th centuries, when the Cerchi family established their residence in this strategic location. The family maintained presence in Florence despite political upheaval of that era, leaving the palace as a testament to their enduring influence.
The palace served as a gathering place for prominent Florentine families engaged in commerce and trade. The social standing of its residents shaped the commercial character of the surrounding streets, which remain focused on business and craftsmanship today.
The ground floor is easily accessible from the surrounding streets, offering a good starting point for exploring the historic business district. It helps to view the facade from different angles to observe the stonework details and the structure of the arches carefully.
The structure incorporates remnants of the ancient Alepri Tower and displays one of Florence's oldest projecting rusticated stonework at ground level. These preserved features make it a rare example of the city's earliest stone-working techniques.
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