PALAZZO VECCHIO, Second Floor

After crossing the rooms of the Quartiere di Leone X, or the Leo X Apartments, where you can follow the events of important members of the Medici family through busts, portraits, and frescoes, go on to the apartments on the second floor that were built in the second half of the sixteenth century when the Medici's domain became an authoritarian grand duchy. Although they have lost their original furnishings, these rooms are full of charm and history, especially thanks to the frescoes arranged by Vasari.

The Apartments of the Elements have beautiful, mythological frescoes.

Half way along you can turn to the Terrace of Juno to admire the original Putto with the Dolphin, the vivid bronze made by Verrocchio for the courtyard fountain.

From a breathtaking narrow balcony, you can take in the equally breathtaking sight of the Salone dei Cinquecento. From here, go to the Quartiere di Eleonora, which was the private residence of Eleonora da Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I. I especially recommend visiting the beautiful chapel frescoed by Bronzino in the first half of the sixteenth century, which is divided into four sectors with fascinating effects of light and color....