Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The tiny chapel is covered in a series of wonderfully detailed and recently restored fres-
coes (c 1459-63) by Benozzo Gozzoli, a pupil of Fra' Angelico. His ostensible theme of
Procession of the Magi to Bethlehem is but a slender pretext for portraying members of
the Medici clan in their best light; try to spy Lorenzo il Magnifico and Cosimo the Elder
in the crowd. The chapel was reconfigured to accommodate a baroque staircase, hence the
oddly split fresco. The mid-15th-century altarpiece of the Adoration of the Child is a copy
of the original (originally here) by Fra' Filippo Lippi. Only 10 visitors are allowed in at a
time; in high season reserve in advance at the palace ticket desk.
The Medici lived at Palazzo Medici until 1540, making way for the Riccardi family a
century later. They gave the palace a comprehensive remodelling and built the sumptu-
ously decorated Sala Luca Giordano , a masterpiece of baroque art, on the 1st floor. Giord-
ano adorned the ceiling with his complex Allegory of Divine Wisdom (1685), a rather
overblown example of late baroque dripping with gold leaf and bursting with colour. The
palazzo now houses the offices of the Florence Provincial Authority and hosts various
temporary exhibitions in its public rooms.
Mercato Centrale
MAP
MARKET
GOOGLE MAP
(Central Market; Piazza del Mercato Centrale; 7am-2pm Mon-Fri, to 5pm Sat) Housed in a 19th-
century iron-and-glass structure, Florence's oldest and largest food market is noisy, smelly
and full of wonderful fresh produce to cook and eat. For a snack while you're here, follow
the stream of stallholders making their way to Da Nerbone ( Click here ) .
 
 
 
 
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