Palazzo dei Diavoli, Medieval stone palazzo in Isolotto, Florence, Italy.
Palazzo dei Diavoli is a medieval stone palazzo in Isolotto, Florence, that features sandstone walls and a tower structure typical of early Florentine residential buildings. The construction displays thick masonry and defensive design elements characteristic of tower houses from that era.
The building was constructed in the 13th century as a tower house and was owned by the Alberti family from 1427 until the late 16th century. During this long period under family ownership, it played a role in local affairs and underwent changes reflecting evolving needs.
The name reflects old local stories about the building's forbidding stone walls and rumors of secret meetings inside. These tales grew from how austere and heavy the structure appears with its thick masonry and defensive tower.
The palazzo is located in the Isolotto neighborhood and can be reached from central Florence by public transportation. The area is easy to navigate, making it straightforward to visit the building during a walk through the district.
The name has three competing origin stories: that it was built overnight by the devil, a link to Ghibelline ties, or the road fork that required making a choice at that spot. None of these can be proven, but all remain alive in local conversation.
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