Guide To Florence’s Medici-Riccardi Palace, Hidden Gem in Florence

Step into the heart of Renaissance Florence at the Medici-Riccardi Palace, the birthplace of the Medici family’s incredible rise to power. This historic gem isn’t just a building—it’s a symbol of an era that shaped art, politics, and culture.

It’s also the home of two of the most iconic figures in history: Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent. No wonder this palace holds such a special place in the story of Florence. This is where it all started!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to see inside the Medici-Riccardi Palace and share some insider tips to make the most of your visit.

Let’s dive into the history and art of this incredible landmark!

>>> Click here to book a guided Medici tour

exterior facade

Medici-Riccardi Palace: What To See & Expect

The palace was built during the second half of the 15th century, with the design commissioned by Cosimo the Elder in 1444. The architect, Michelozzo, created what is considered the first Renaissance-style family palace.

Here are the must see highlights:

Exterior Facade

The exterior is a classic example of the period.

At first, Cosimo the Elder had planned for the renowned Filippo Brunelleschi to design the palace. Brunelleschi was already famous for his work on the Duomo and San Lorenzo, but Cosimo changed his mind.

Despite Brunelleschi’s impressive model, he thought the design might be too lavish and that it could send the wrong message to the people of Florence. Cosimo wanted the Medici to appear as citizens, not as royalty.

main facade and entrance to the palace

Frustrated, Brunelleschi destroyed his model. And Cosimo later regretted his decision.

The palace itself is rectangular, built with rustic Florentine brownstone, or pietra forte. This gives it a strong, fortress-like appearance.

It’s three stories tall. The height of each floor gradually decreases as you move upward, creating a more refined appearance at the top.

The ground floor was intended for public use, while the first floor, the piano nobile, was where the Medici family resided. The top floor was used for the kitchen and servants’ quarters.

courtyard
courtyard

Courtyard Of Columns

Just inside the main entrance is a barrel vaulted vestibule leading to the courtyard.

The heart of the Renaissance palazzo, the courtyard is one of the most sophisticated expressions of the 15th century design.

It was conceived as a space for parties and was a waiting area for those seeking an audience with the Medici family, especially Lorenzo the Magnificent. He famously would keep people waiting for hours!

Baccio Bandinelli, Orpheus, 1519 -
Baccio Bandinelli, Orpheus, 1519

The courtyard has an elegance and purity of style with open galleries of two floors.

There is a high frieze with tondos from Donatello’s school.

They are linked by plant festoons and ribbons in the sgraffito technique. That produces fine, intricate designs, and bold contrasts that are scratched through.

The central Orpheus sculpture, by Baccio Bandinelli, is a play on one of the icons of classicism — Apollo Belvedere in the Vatican Museums.

passageway leading to the Courtyard of Mules
passageway leading to the Courtyard of Mules

Courtyard Of Mules

On the north side of the courtyard is a rich stucco decoration with theatrical hangings supported by putti. This was added any Anton Francesco Andreozzi in 1688.

This passageway is decorated with 12 plaster and terracotta medallions with the profiles of illustrious Florentine citizens like Dante. This leads to the Courtyard of Mules.

It’s mostly used for temporary exhibitions.

Hall of Mirrors
Hall of Mirrors

Galleria Riccardiana

In the 17th century, the Riccardi family made their own mark on the palace by adding the lavish Galleria Riccardiana.

It’s also known as the Hall of Mirrors. This small yet luxurious chamber was added during the Riccardi family’s ownership in the 17th century.

True to its name, the room features gold walls adorned with mirrors framed by intricate gold decorations, designed to amplify the sense of space and grandeur.

The illusionistic ceiling frescos were painted by Luca Giordano, with scenes from mythology. Allegorical virtues are in the corners. In the middle in the is the Apotheosis of the Medici

The whole scene is set on a beautiful aquamarine background. Giordano’s style is fresh and lively.

Chapel of the Magi. Image: PMR©NicolaNeri
Chapel of the Magi. Image: PMR©NicolaNeri

Chapel of The Magi

And now, the real reason to visit the Medici-Riccardi Palace! Its crown jewel is the stunning Chapel of the Magi, tucked away on the piano nobile.

This private chapel, used exclusively by the Medici family for personal prayer and devotion, was a rarity during the 15th century. The Pope himself had to grant special permission to build it.

Benozzo Gozzoli, a talented artist trained by Ghiberti and Fra Angelico, painted the magnificent frescoes inside the chapel in 1459.

His work shows the three Magi traveling to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Christ.

What’s particularly interesting about these frescoes is the inclusion of the Medici family members in the roles of the Magi. It’s essentially a rare group portrait.

Gozzoli fresco showing the procession

Cosimo the Elder is depicted riding a donkey, a subtle nod to the humility of Jesus. Lorenzo the Magnificent appears as a young child on a white horse, signifying his importance.

Giuliano, Lorenzo’s brother who was tragically murdered in the Pazzi Conspiracy, is also portrayed in the frescoes, marking the Medici family’s association with divine power and royalty.

At the altar is a copy of Filippo Lippi’s Adoration of the Child. Thieves stole the original when the Medici were expelled from Florence temporarily in 1494.

The ceiling of the chapel is very striking. It features a striking diamond-shaped design with the word “semper” (meaning “forever”), reinforcing the idea that the Medici dynasty was destined to last.

This was a message to the family’s supporters and enemies alike, a proclamation of their power.

Charels VIII Salon
Charles VIII Salon

Charles VIII Salon

Exiting the chapel, you will find yourself back in the passageway where you can access the Charles VIII Salon.

The name of this room recalls the time the conquering Charles VIII spent in the palace, after expelling the Medici.

This room was once occupied by Piero the Gouty and Lorenzo the Magnificent.

The coffered ceiling is pretty special. It was added in the mid 17th century. It’s decorated with acanthus leaves and the Riccardi coat of arms.

You’ll also find massive crystal chandeliers and more frescos, tapestries, and paintings.

Lippi, Madonna and Child, 1460s
Lippi, Madonna and Child, 1460s

Lippi’s Madonna and Child in the Room of the Triumph of the Guilds

Pride of place among the paintings dedicated to the Virgin Mary is Lippi’s painting of Madonna and Child.

Inside a marble shell-shaped niche, the scene depicts a tender cheek-to-cheek embrace between Mary and Jesus.

The painting’s delicate details, including the tender expressions and intricate textures, reflect Lippi’s mastery of Renaissance art.

Lippi is rather a funny story. He was a talented but scandalous 15th century painter and friar. He was supported by the Medici family despite his rebellious lifestyle.

Known for his affair with Lucrezia Buti, a nun who became his muse, Lippi was allowed to leave his vows and focus on painting. Under the Medici’s patronage, he created masterpieces blending religious devotion with human emotion.

bust of Agrippa, Caesar's right hand man
Agrippa

Museum of Marbles

Don’t forget to head downstairs to basement to visit the Museum of Marbles. You access it from the Courtyard of Mules.

This museum houses the Riccardi family’s fine collection of ancient Roman sculptures and busts.

Among the finest are original busts of Vibia Sabina (Hadrian’s wife) and Emperor Caracalla. You’ll also find plaster casts of Augustus and Agrippa. The originals are now in the Uffizi Gallery.

You’ll also find ancient artifacts, which give you a deeper understanding of the Medici family’s influence and their passion for art and culture.

Walled Garden

Once you’ve explored the interior, take some time to wander the palace’s serene walled garden.

The garden is home to orange trees, the symbol of the Medici family. And it offers a peaceful retreat from the busy streets of Florence.

Statues of satryrs flank the gates. A rather virile marble sculpture of Ares takes center stage, which portrays one of the Riccardi family.

Originally, the garden also hosted Donatello’s famous sculpture of Judith and Holofernes. The original now resides in the Palazzo Vecchio.

But a copy sits in Piazza della Signoria, reminding visitors of the palace’s rich artistic heritage.

sculpture in the garden

Practical Guide & Tips For The Medici-Riccardi Palace

Address: Via Camillo Cavour, 3, 50129 Florence, Italy

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Closed on Wednesday.

Tickets:

Tickets are €15.00 from March 20, 2024 to September 8, 2024. In off season, €10.00.

Advance tickets can be purchased online with an additional pre-sale charge of €1.50. Each ticket allows admission only on the selected day and within the selected time slot.

detail of Giordano fresco
detail of Giordano fresco

Tickets for the current day cannot be purchased online. But I had no problem just walking up to the ticket booth and getting in when I last visited in May.

But, keep in mind that the Chapel of the Magi limits access to 15 visitors at a time. Each group allowed a maximum visit time of 15 minutes. 

Pro Tip: I would budget about 1 hour to 1.5 hours to see the palace. It will be most likely be blissfully uncrowded (well, maybe not in the summer).

Netflix Series: If you’ve watched the Netflix series, Medici the Magnificent, you will have learned all about Lorenzo the Magnificent. But the Medici-Riccardi was not used in the series. The Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza stood in for it.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the Medici-Riccardi Palace. You may find these other Florence travel guides useful:

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