☰Palazzo Vecchio

The most important civil building in Florence, and one of the great medieval civic palaces in Europe. Construction began in 1299 to plans by Arnolfo di Cambio; it was the seat of Florence's governing Signoria and later the Medici ducal residence. The Salone dei Cinquecento on the first floor — the chamber designed for 500 citizens and now decorated with Vasari's painted battles — is extraordinary in scale. The view from the tower is among the best in the city.