Palazzo Strozzi

Gallery and Historic Building in Florence

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Chabe01

Palazzo Strozzi, situated in the historic centre of Florence, is a beautiful Renaissance palace whose construction began in 1489 under the guidance of Simone del Pollaiolo, known as Il Cronaca, following the orders of Filippo Strozzi, the head of one of the most influential families in the city. Unfortunately, Filippo Strozzi passed away before the completion of the building, and it was his children who became the first inhabitants, around 1505.

After a considerable period during which the Strozzi family resided in Rome, the palace was once again occupied in the mid-1800s, first by Princess Antonietta and later by Prince Piero, who commissioned Pietro Berti to renovate the building between 1886 and 1889.

Palazzo Strozzi exemplifies the noble ideals of a Renaissance residence and stands as a small fortress in the heart of the city, fulfilling Filippo Strozzi’s specific request. The palace was intentionally designed to be larger than Palazzo Medici Riccardi, which inspired its square layout, featuring three floors, each divided by linear cornices, and a central courtyard. Inside, you can explore the splendid courtyard designed by Il Cronaca, surrounded on all four sides by arches and columns adorned with Corinthian capitals. The ground floor houses the splendid Sala Ferri, which is open for visitors.

Today, this magnificent building serves as one of the most important exhibition venues in Florence. The Palazzo Strozzi Foundation organizes a rich and innovative program of exhibitions, events, and activities every year.

The Palazzo Strozzi appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Florence!

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