Palazzo dell'Arte della Lana, Medieval guild palace in central Florence, Italy
Palazzo dell'Arte della Lana is a medieval guild palace built in 1308 in central Florence, featuring a grand stone facade with arched windows and decorative elements typical of the period. A corridor designed by Bernardo Buontalenti connects the palace directly to the upper floors of the nearby Orsanmichele church.
The palace was built in 1308 as the headquarters of Florence's wool guild, one of the most powerful professional associations in medieval Italy. The building underwent major restoration in 1905 and now houses the Dante Alighieri Society, preserving its connection to the city's intellectual and economic past.
The interior walls feature 14th-century frescoes depicting wool production and religious scenes, reflecting how the guild's work was intertwined with Florence's spiritual and economic life. These paintings show the pride craftspeople took in their profession and faith.
The palace is located at Via dell'Arte della Lana 1, just steps away from the Orsanmichele church in Florence's historic core, making it easy to visit. The central location means you can easily combine a stop here with walks through nearby medieval streets and piazzas.
Elevated corridors within the building allow direct passage between the palace chambers and the upper floors of Orsanmichele, a connection rarely seen in medieval buildings. This private link reveals how closely the wool guild controlled access to one of the city's most important religious and commercial spaces.
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