Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square), Florence (must see)
Alongside the Cathedral Square鈥攖he religious heart of Florence鈥攜ou鈥檒l find Signoria Square, the city鈥檚 historic civic center and a living museum under the open sky. Framed by elegant buildings and top-tier museums, this spot holds a special place in the hearts of locals. It was here that the Florentine Republic took shape, and to this day, the area remains a cherished gathering place. Michelangelo鈥檚 original 鈥淒avid鈥� once stood proudly in the square, and while that statue now resides in a museum, a faithful replica now stands in its place, keeping the legacy alive.
Long before the Renaissance, back in Roman times, this was the town center of Florentia, surrounded by a theater, public baths, and a textile workshop. Centuries later, a church, a loggia, and a vast 5th-century basilica rose here, traces of which came to light during excavations in the 1980s.
What makes the square truly captivating is its irregular shape and the wealth of artwork鈥攂oth monumental and subtle鈥攖hat surrounds you. It鈥檚 a dream for photographers, with striking visuals from every angle. But even without a camera, just standing at the center and slowly turning to take it all in is a moment worth savoring.
Presiding over everything is the medieval Old Palace, still the seat of city government. Nearby, you鈥檒l find the Lanterns鈥� Lodge鈥攁n open-air sculpture gallery that鈥檚 free to enter and always open. Here you鈥檒l see dramatic masterpieces like 鈥淭he Rape of the Sabine Women鈥�, 鈥淗ercules and the Centaur鈥�, and 鈥淧erseus with the Head of Medusa鈥�, which seems locked in a timeless stare with Michelangelo鈥檚 鈥淒avid鈥�.
There are a few shaded benches for a break, but if you're visiting in summer, take it slow and stay hydrated. The crowds can be thick, so when crossing the square, don鈥檛 aim straight鈥攝igzag gently, like a sailboat tacking through the wind. A few graceful steps to the right, a few to the left, and before you know it, you鈥檙e there. Simple, smooth, and very Florentine.
Long before the Renaissance, back in Roman times, this was the town center of Florentia, surrounded by a theater, public baths, and a textile workshop. Centuries later, a church, a loggia, and a vast 5th-century basilica rose here, traces of which came to light during excavations in the 1980s.
What makes the square truly captivating is its irregular shape and the wealth of artwork鈥攂oth monumental and subtle鈥攖hat surrounds you. It鈥檚 a dream for photographers, with striking visuals from every angle. But even without a camera, just standing at the center and slowly turning to take it all in is a moment worth savoring.
Presiding over everything is the medieval Old Palace, still the seat of city government. Nearby, you鈥檒l find the Lanterns鈥� Lodge鈥攁n open-air sculpture gallery that鈥檚 free to enter and always open. Here you鈥檒l see dramatic masterpieces like 鈥淭he Rape of the Sabine Women鈥�, 鈥淗ercules and the Centaur鈥�, and 鈥淧erseus with the Head of Medusa鈥�, which seems locked in a timeless stare with Michelangelo鈥檚 鈥淒avid鈥�.
There are a few shaded benches for a break, but if you're visiting in summer, take it slow and stay hydrated. The crowds can be thick, so when crossing the square, don鈥檛 aim straight鈥攝igzag gently, like a sailboat tacking through the wind. A few graceful steps to the right, a few to the left, and before you know it, you鈥檙e there. Simple, smooth, and very Florentine.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square) on Map
Sight Name: Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
Florence was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. Laid out like a Roman military camp, its main roads intersected at what is now the Republic Square. Originally named Fluentia, referencing its location between two rivers, the city later adopted the name Florentia, meaning 鈥渇lowering鈥� or 鈥渇lourishing鈥�.
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Duomo Walking Tour
Right in the heart of historic Florence lies the Duomo district鈥攖he city's religious and civic core, and one of the most remarkable places in all of Italy. Between the Duomo and Signoria squares, Florence unfolds in layers of art, history, and architectural brilliance, offering a never-ending stream of things to see, do, and admire.
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
In Galileo's Footsteps
Galileo Galilei鈥攂orn in Pisa in 1564鈥攕pent much of his life in and around Florence, where some of the most defining moments of his revolutionary career unfolded. A genius of many talents鈥攑hysicist, mathematician, astronomer, inventor鈥攈e helped usher in the scientific revolution and reshape humanity鈥檚 understanding of the universe. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, became a... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour
The area south of the Arno River鈥攌nown as Oltrarno, or 鈥淏eyond the Arno鈥濃�攐ffers a quieter, more intimate side of Florence, but one that鈥檚 no less captivating. It鈥檚 here that you鈥檒l find the grand Pitti Palace, home to a painting collection rivaled only by the Uffizi Gallery, and the expansive Boboli Gardens, once the private domain of the Medici and later, the royal family. As one of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Though born in the small Tuscan town of Caprese, Michelangelo spent over two decades of his life in Florence鈥攖he heart of the Renaissance. It was here that he grew up, was educated, and began shaping his artistic voice, eventually creating some of the most iconic masterpieces the city has ever known.
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour
The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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