Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapel of SS Cosmas & Damian
Off the huge Salone dei Cinquecento is this chapel, home to Vasari's 1557-58 triptych of
the two saints. Cosimo the Elder is depicted as Cosmas (right) and Cosimo I as Damian
(left). Next to the chapel is the
Sala di Leo X
, the private apartments of Cardinal Gio-
vanni de' Medici, son of Lorenzo Il Magnifico.
Studiolo
Cosimo I commissioned Vasari and a team of Florentine Mannerist artists to decorate this
sumptuous study for his introverted, alchemy-mad son Francesco I (spot him disguised as
a scientist experimenting with gunpowder in one of the 34 wall paintings). The lower
paintings conceal 20 cabinets in which the young prince hid his treasures. Visit on a
'Secret Passages' tour.
Torre d'Arnolfo
On dry days (it's closed when raining), take a breathtaking, 418-step hike up this striking
tower (admission €6.50) - the panorama of Piazza della Signoria and the city beyond is
dazzling. Once up, you have 30 minutes to lap it up. No children under 6 years; and no
more than 25 people on the terrace any one time.
Top Tips
›
Last tickets for the Torre d'Arnolfo are sold one hour before closing; in high season visit early morning or
evening to avoid queues.
›
Reserve guided tours (1¼ hours) in advance by telephone or email; the 'Secret Passages' tour is a perennial fa-
vourite and the 'Experiencing the Palace First-Hand' tour is perfect for families. Check the website for details.
›
The
David
positioned outside the palace entrance is a copy (albeit on the spot where Michelangelo's original
stood from 1510 until 1873); see the original at the Galleria dell'Accademia.
›
Opening hours vary. See
www.musefirenze.it
for more information.
