Palazzo Vecchio Morning Guided Tour

For centuries the political heart of the city, the Palazzo Vecchio was built atop ancient Roman ruins and carries the legacy of both medieval and Renaissance Florence. To explore this historical treasure, meet your local guide and get an overview of the building’s past and importance before stepping inside.

Wander in awe through the enormous ‘Salone dei Cinquecento,’ where the two greatest Florentine artists of their time, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, were once commissioned to adorn the walls with giant murals. Admire other masterpieces by Michelangelo, Donatello and other Renaissance greats throughout the palazzo. See the mysterious symbols and artworks that inspired Dan Brown’s novel ‘Inferno’ (and the film of the same name), such as an inscription ‘Cerca e Trova’ (‘Seek and you shall find’) written atop a fresco by Giorgio Vasari.

Learn about the building’s transformation from a medieval town hall into the private residence of Duke Cosimo I de Medici during the 15th century. During the tour, visit every section of the palazzo, the map room, captivating terraces and Arnolfo’s Tower, which rises majestically above the city. Tour size is limited for a more personalized, small-group experience.