Loggia dei Lanzi, A Living Gallery of Renaissance Sculptures

Piazza della Signoria 50121 Florence

The southern end of Lord's Square is the mercenary corridor

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Introduction

Located next to the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence's Piazza della Signoria, this building is adjacent to the Uffizi Gallery. Its architectural style retains the broad arch that opens onto the street, with a circular arch supported by Corinthian columns. This building is called the Loggia dei Lanzi, contrasting with the plain building of the Old Palace, making it a museum of outdoor sculpture and Renaissance art. Built at the end of the 14th century, it was originally a meeting place and later converted into a sentry post for Cosimo I's overseas mercenaries. The inauguration ceremonies of the successive abbots and city administrators were held here. As an "outdoor museum," the Loggia dei Lanzi now exhibits ancient and Renaissance sculptures all year round.