Palazzo Strozzi

Welcome to the Palazzo Strozzi, perhaps the most magnificent and perfect example of a Renaissance family palace in the city of Florence. To understand this building, we must understand the fierce rivalries and immense wealth of…

The facade of Palazzo Strozzi is a masterclass in the language of Renaissance power. Notice the progression of the stone work, or 'rustication.' On the ground floor, the blocks of pietra forte are massive and deeply carved,…

As we approach the grand entrance portal, notice its scale. It is large enough for a carriage to pass through, emphasizing the palace's role as a self-contained world. …

Stepping into the central courtyard, the mood shifts entirely. The 'fortress' exterior gives way to an interior that could not be more classical or refined. …

The 'Piano Nobile,' or noble floor, is the first floor above the ground level. In Florentine palaces, this was the most important part of the building, reserved for the family's formal living quarters and reception rooms. …

High above the courtyard, crowning the structure, is the top floor, which once featured an open-air 'loggia' or gallery. This was a common feature of Florentine palaces, providing a space for the family to enjoy the breeze and…

The Palazzo Strozzi cannot be fully understood without considering the rivalry between the Strozzi and the Medici. Filippo Strozzi intentionally designed his palace to be larger than the Palazzo Medici, which had been built some…

As we conclude our journey through the Palazzo Strozzi, we are left with the impression of a family that sought immortality through stone. Filippo Strozzi did not live to see his palace completed; work continued for decades after…