Close to Piazza della Repubblica, in the heart of Florence, Palazzo Davanzati is a "must" for anyone who wants to feel the atmosphere of a typical Florentine mansion during the Renaissance.

It has survived the ravages of time when Florence was the capital of Italy and is a rare example of hybrid architecture between two epochs, combining the typical verticality of the medieval house with its tower and the spaciousness of the Renaissance Palace spread around its central court. For centuries, it has been the frame of the public and private lives of rich Florentine merchants and their families: first the Davizzi, who built it around the middle of 14^th century, then the Bartolini Salimbeni, who bought it in 1516 and finally the Davanzati, who owned it from 1578 to 1838, the year in which Carlo, the last male heir of the Palace committed suicide. 

Since then, several structural modifications have determined the building we can see today, the most significant that of the eclectic antiquarian Elia Volpi, who bought it at the beginning of 20^th century and furnished it in 14^th century style to destine it as a private Museum "della Casa Fiorentina Antica". It soon became a Neo-Renaissance inspiration for foreign tourists, especially Americans.

Finally, in 1951 the building became the property of the Italian State and was destined as a Public Museum. Over the years it has gathered collections and precious objects from Florentine Galleries and donations resulting in a typical domestic Renaissance environment.

Visitors can admire the rich decorations, statues, pictures, affreschi with their stories of knights, tapestries and a precious collection of finely carved furniture with objects of every day use. You can relive the atmosphere of Renaissance daily life, its commerce, chivalric love, domestic work and pastimes when Florence was "the hub" of art, culture and wealth.

The Museum was closed to the public for a number of years due to restoration. Foto D'Arte Firenze shot a photographic campaign to document its new splendour, a work of prestige which required great accuracy and competence.

© Foto D'Arte Firenze

To follow: a link for the Polo Museale Fiorentino to take a virtual tour of the Museum.

Polo Museale Fiorentino | Museum of Palazzo Davanzati

Cristian Ceccanti & Ivan Rossi photographers | Foto D'Arte Firenze @ Museum of Palazzo Davanzati | Via Porta Rossa 13, Florence