Florence’s Piazza della Signoria is named after its palazzo, which is now also known as the Palazzo Vecchio
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The Duomo may be the more famous Florence landmark, but the Piazza della Signoria has at least as much historical importance to the city. The Signoria was the government of Florence at the dawn of the Renaissance, and this was their seat; large and imposing, and built to withstand military assault. Here the nine men of the Signoria would live together for the two months of their tenure, emerging only to put their proposals to the throng gathered in the square. Here too, Cosimo de’ Medici was once imprisoned, able only to watch the plebiscite from the window of his cell.
For more background info on all aspects of this wonderful city, don’t miss our A-Z of Florence.