Pitti Palace: history, insights, things not to miss

The Pitti Palace in Florence is one of the city’s most important locations from a historical artistic and cultural point of view.

The iconic Renaissance palace is located in the Oltrarno area and a short distance from Ponte Vecchio.

Pitti Palace, history

Palazzo Pitti and its history intersect with the vicissitudes of the two most important families of the city: the Pitti and the Medici.

Luca Pitti, a rival of the Medici family, nurtured the objective of building a residence far more sumptuous than the one built for Cosimo the Elder by Michelozzo.

Around 1440 the Pitti family contacted Filippo Brunelleschi and chose the design that the latter had realised for the Medici Palace and then set aside because it was considered excessive in every respect.

The construction of the palace, however, did not follow the guidelines that had always defined Brunelleschi’s style.

The construction was inspired by classical solemnity and the indications contained in De re aedificatoria by Leon Battista Alberti.

The project, particularly demanding and sumptuous, led the Pitti family to encounter numerous financial difficulties. The direct consequence was the interruption of work in 1465.

Purchased by the Medici family, it became the main residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and, following the unification of Italy, the Royal Palace of the House of Savoy during the five years that Florence was capital of the Kingdom of Italy, i.e. from 1865 to 1870.

It has been a state museum since 1919, when Victor Emmanuel III donated it to the Italian State.

In fact, the Pitti Palace houses several museums: the Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments of the Prince of Naples, the Apartment of the Duchess of Aosta, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, the Museum of Fashion and Costume, the Porcelain Museum, the Carriage Museum.

Pitti Palace, what to see

Those who visit the Pitti Palace and want to understand what to see can best orient themselves through a distinction by zones and themed areas:

Palatine Gallery: inside we find works from the period between the 16th and 17th century century and works by Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Filippo Lippi and Artemisia Gentileschi;
Royal Apartments: the rooms housed the Medici family, the Lorraine family and later the King of Italy. The Throne and Blue rooms house portraits of the Medici Family by Justus Sustermans and Japanese vases from the 17th and 18th centuries;
Modern Art Gallery: with over 2,000 works ranging from Neoclassicism to the present day. Among authors include Canova, Hayez and the Macchiaioli;
Museo degli Argenti: with precious objects and works in silver, semi-precious stones, ivory and crystals;
Museum of Fashion and Costume: with more than 600 stage costumes made from the 16th to 20th century, used in film and theatre and also created by artists such as Valentino, Armani and Versace;
Porcelain Museum: with French, Viennese and Capodimonte ceramics, belonging families who lived in the palace;
Palazzo Pitti Gardens: designed in the 1400s, they are among the most important Renaissance gardens in the world, inspiring even those of the Palace of Versailles.

Pitti Palace, artworks

Palazzo Pitti has numerous works of absolute value. Among them are:

“La Velata” by Raphael Sanzio,
”La Madonna col Bambino e San Giovannino” by Raphael,
“Judith with the Head of Holofernes” by Cristofano Allori,
“Icon Beheading of St. John the Baptist” by Bottega Moscovita,
“Cousin Argia”by Giovanni Fattori,
“Stipo dell’Elector Palatine” by Giovanni Battista Foggini,
“S. Maria Maddalena” by Artemisia Gentileschi,
“Gabinetto Oval” by Ignazio Pellegrini and Francesco Visetti,
“Santa Maria Maddalena” by Tiziano Vecellio,
“La Primavera” (female dress) by Rosa Genoni,
“Lamentation over the Dead Christ” by Pietro Perugino,
“Dish decorated with some objects among the Hundred Antiquities” of Chinese manufacture,
“The Concert” by Tiziano Vecellio,
“Dacio prisoner” by Roman Art.

Pitti Palace, exhibitions

Palazzo Pitti and the exhibitions it hosts represent a true point of reference for every art lover.

The rich calendar is constantly updated with works and projects by the most important Italian and international artists.

Among the things to see at Palazzo Pitti is the permanent exhibition ‘Il Novecento’, a selection of 50 dresses made by the most important designers of the 20th century. Here you can admire works by Emilio Schubert, Mariano Fortuny, Dior, Elsa Schiapparelli, Miuccia Prada, Gianni Versace, John Galliano, Gianfranco Ferrè, Armani.

Palazzo Pitti is also the Boboli Gardens: the city’s historic park and a perfect example of a Italian-style garden.

It covers 45,000 square metres and was built between the 16th and 19th centuries. It is an authentic open-air museum, guardian of sculptures created in a period that starts from ancient Rome to the 20th century.

It is embellished with ponds, nymphaea, fountains, grottoes, statues, buildings such as the Kaffeehaus in rococo style.

The botanical collections are particularly rich, with wild orchids, old roses, aquatic plants and citrus fruits.

Where it is and how to get to the Pitti Palace

Palazzo Pitti is in the Oltrarno area, at Piazza de’ Pitti 1.

It is conveniently located close to the historic centre, just a few steps from Ponte Vecchio.

From the centre of Florence, Palazzo Pitti is just a few minutes’ walk away:

From Piazza della Signoria: 650 metres – 9 minutes;
From the Duomo – Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: 1.1 km – 14 minutes;
From Santa Maria Novella railway station: 1.5 km – 20 minutes.

Those who do not wish to walk can reach the Palazzo by bus, taking:

The C4 bus and get off at the Pitti stop, right in front of the Palace;
Bus no. 11 and get off at the stop in Piazza San Felice, in front of the Pitti Palace.

All about tickets to the Pitti Palace

Below is some useful information for your visit:

Pitti Palace – Hours: The Palace is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 08.15 to 18.30. Last admission is at 5.30 pm. Closed every Monday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The opening hours of the Pitti Palace may vary during major holidays. Those wishing to visit the museum on Saturdays or holidays must book at least one day in advance;
Palazzo Pitti Tickets: various types of tickets are available, which can be purchased online or on site. The Single Ticket allows access to the Pitti Palace collections: Gallery of Modern Art, Palatine Gallery, Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Museum of Fashion and Costume, Palatine Chapel, Museum of Russian Icons. The PassePartout 5 days is a single entry for the Uffizi, Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace with valid for 5 days;
Pitti Palace times and prices:
Full: € 16;
Cumulative Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens: € 22;
PassePartout 5 days: € 38.