One of the most amazing viewpoints of Florence!
Would you like to admire a unique panorama in the heart of Florence?
If you visit Florence and want to see the city from a bird’s eye view, you should climb the steps to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Don’t miss the chance to visit one of Florence’s most breathtaking towers, where a single photograph will render you speechless.
Whilst Cathedral’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower undoubtedly captivate the imagination of countless city explorers, Florence boasts yet another extraordinary gem that promises an unparalleled vista. Behold the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio, known as the “Della Vacca,” its ascent to a remarkable altitude of 95 meters proudly securing its status as the second tallest edifice in town.
This magnificent and timeless masterpiece, referred to as the Tower of Arnolfo as a tribute to the illustrious designer of Palazzo Vecchio, has undergone an intricate and thorough process of restoration and enrichment to guarantee its utmost security.
How can you go up to Palazzo Vecchio Tower?
You can buy only the ticket to climb the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio, or visit the splendor of the rich history and breathtaking architecture of Florence with the ticket for both the museum and the tower. It’s a family-friendly fun activity. Climbing the 223 steps to reach the top of the Tower may be difficult, but it will be worth it; after the first flight of stairs you can rest along the medieval guardwalk, equipped with a covered walkway. The latter being overhanging, will allow you to enjoy from the machicolations, today protected by grates and glass, a stunning view to the Signoria Square below. Originally they were designed for defensive purposes, through which stones dropped, liquid lime, and occasionally incendiary weapons, rather than the expensive boiling oil as is commonly believed.
When I went up to the top of the Tower and came out from the softly illuminated staircase, the magnificence of the day unveiled an awe-inspiring panorama of Florence landscape, instilling in me a feeling of peace and awe as I gazed out at the majestic architecture and view that surrounded me. It was as though I could almost reach out and touch the grandeur of the Cathedral’s Dome, feeling a deep sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty that lay before me.
The Palazzo Vecchio Tower’s remarkable positioning, with its trapezoidal shape and rectangular layout from the gallery to its summit, extends out by a meter and a half onto Signoria Square instead of being centrally located within the Palace.
This distinctive architectural decision adds a captivating element of intrigue and curiosity. The Tower’s placement can be traced back to its construction upon the foundations of the pre-existing Tower of the Foraboschi family, a prominent Guelph family, further adding to its historical and cultural significance.
We know that inside the Tower there is a pipeline less than one square meter wide.
Although its precise location and purpose remain shrouded in mystery, in the nineteenth century it was believed that it served as a protection against seismic activity. However, modern skepticism has questioned this theory.
On top of the Tower, there are three special bells. One of them, called the Martinella, is the most important. People usually ring this bell on important days and when many people gather together. The most special time the Martinella rang was on August 11, 1944.
That morning, it made a beautiful sound to celebrate when the people of Florence were freed from the control of the German soldiers during the World War II. At the top of the Palazzo Vecchio Tower, there is a really cool statue of a lion with a Lily on it. People in Florence think that when the statue points south and looks at the river, it means bad things will happen, like rain or trouble. It makes us feel worried and scared.
Kids who are younger than 6 cannot go up the tower. People under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
In the event of rain the Palazzo Vecchio Tower will be closed to the public while the medieval guardwalk will be accessible.
