Database: Palazzo della Signoria

Arnolfo di Cambio designed the Palazzo della Signoria (also known as the Palazzo Vecchio) in 1299, for the rulers of Florence, the Signoria.

The Signoria was made up of nine members (or Priori) selected by the city’s guilds, two from each district, and a Gonfalonier of Justice. Members were supposed to be chosen by lot, but once the Medici family took power, only their friends seemed to end up in the drawing. Government by people, right?

Interesting fact: The tower in front is off-centre because it was incorporated into the Palazzo from an earlier structure. It cantains two small cells, one of which was used to imprison Cosimo de’Medici.