The Piazza of Il Castello Vecchio

Il Castello Vecchio, the "Old Castle," was the home of Lorenzo di Medici, and thus it became the de facto capital of the Florentine Republic. It was used as the center of government long after Lorenzo the Magnificent built for himself a more modest dwelling (at least from the outside) a few blocks away. The plaza in front of the building holds many statues made by renaissance artists. Some are copies of classical models, such as "The Dying Gaul," and the "Rape of the Sabine Women." It was raining hard the day we arrived, so we took shelter under the roof of the gallery.Read more