Palazzo Vecchio Florence

Built in 1299 to the designs of Arnolfo Cambio, Palazzo Vecchio was originally the seat of the Piori delle Arti e della Signoria, temporary residence of the great Ducal family of Cosimo I de' Medici and later the seat of the Royal Family. Palazzo Vecchio houses a large museum in the part of the building named Quartieri Monumentali. The 16th century Salone, the Stanza degli Elementi, Francesco I de' Medici's study and the Sala dei Gigli can be seen here. The Loggia dei Lanzi, dominating the Piazza della Signoria in front of Palazzo Vecchio, is quite captivating.