Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Piazza della Signoria

Florentina was established in Roman times as a settlement for veteran soldiers. The name had changed already when young Charlemagne conquered the town in 774. It became part of the Duchy of Tuscany, with Lucca as the capital. Around 1000 Margrave Hugo chose Florence as residency instead of Lucca. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), the Florentines formed a republic ruled by a council. The town prospered, despite a constant fight between the different factions and noble families. In the 15th century, Florence was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. This was when the Medici family entered the political scene. As a dynasty of art-loving, power-hungry bankers, they made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. Michelangelo's David also stood at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio from its completion in 1504 to 1873, when it was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia. A replica erected in 1910 now stands in its place. In March 2022 it was covered by a black fabric as a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Florentina was established in Roman times as a settlement for veteran soldiers. The name had changed already when young Charlemagne conquered the town in 774. It became part of the Duchy of Tuscany, with Lucca as the capital. Around 1000 Margrave Hugo chose Florence as residency instead of Lucca. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), the Florentines formed a republic ruled by a council. The town prospered, despite a constant fight between the different factions and noble families. In the 15th century, Florence was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. This was when the Medici family entered the political scene. As a dynasty of art-loving, power-hungry bankers, they made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. As the seat of the city parliament, the "Palazzo Vecchio" was the center of secular power in Florence in the 14th century. Construction of the building began in 1299. The architect and sculptor Arnolfo di Cambio was responsible for planning the palazzo. From its completion in 1314, the building housed the parliament of the Republic of Florence and served as sleeping quarters for the deputies. This also explains the defensive character of the architecture, which met the desire of those gathered for security, for protection against attacks by restless family clans or angry people. Seen in front is a sign of protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Florentina was established in Roman times as a settlement for veteran soldiers. The name had changed already when young Charlemagne conquered the town in 774. It became part of the Duchy of Tuscany, with Lucca as the capital. Around 1000 Margrave Hugo chose Florence as residency instead of Lucca. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), the Florentines formed a republic ruled by a council. The town prospered, despite a constant fight between the different factions and noble families. In the 15th century, Florence was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. This was when the Medici family entered the political scene. As a dynasty of art-loving, power-hungry bankers, they made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. The Piazza della Signoria is the most important point of origin and history of the Florentine Republic and still maintains its reputation as the political center of the city. On May 23, 1498 Girolamo Savonarola was hanged and burned here for heresy. The "Fontana del Nettuno" (here seen in the late afternoon) was designed by Baccio Bandinelli, but created by Bartolomeo Ammannati between 1560 and 1574.

Florentina was established in Roman times as a settlement for veteran soldiers. The name had changed already, when young Charlemagne conquered the town in 774. It became part of the Duchy of Tuscany, with Lucca as capital. Around 1000 Margrave Hugo chose Florence as residency instead of Lucca. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), the Florentines formed a republic was ruled by a council. The town prospered, despite a constant fight between the different factions and noble families. In the 15th century, Florence was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. This was, when the Medici family entered the political scene. As a dynasty of art loving, power hungry bankers, they made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. The Palazzo Vecchio overlooks the Piazza della Signoria. Originally the building was called "Palazzo della Signoria", as here the nine elected member of the Signora the government of Florence lived during their term. The building started in 1299, some years after the guilds had taken over the politcal power, as only guild members were electable into the goverment. The Piazza della Signoria was the place, where in February 1497 "Falò delle vanità" (bonfire of vanity") burnt. The fire destroyed thousands of objects of vanity, art and immorality such as books, paintings, fine dressings, playing cards, mirrors, sculptures and musical instruments. This fire had been organized by the friar Girolamo Savonarola, a charismatic preacher of an early "Cultural Revolution". His young followers, named "fanciulli" have very much in common with the Mao Zedong´s Red Guards. Actually for about four years Savonarola and the fanciulli "ruled" Florence. In May 1497 Pope Alexander VI excommunicated Savonarola. The local support for him dwindled, when his enemies (and rain) hampered an ordeal by fire. He was imprisoned and got tortured in the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio. On May 23 1498 he and two confrères were sentenced to death and in front of a large crowd were hanged on this Piazza. Under the gallows fires were ignited to consume the bodies. The ashes of Girolamo Savonarola and his confrères Fra Domenico and Fra Silvestro were scattered in the Arno to prevent followers to collect relics. There is a little plaque on the ground, where Girolamo Savonarola died. It is near the blue umbrella. - P.S. The statue of Michelangelo´s "David" near the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio is a replica. The original statue was removed from the piazza in 1873 and since then can be admired in the Accademia Gallery.