A masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, Strozzi Palace was originally a home to one of the most powerful families in Florence. Its construction began in the last decade of the XV century under the guidance of Benedetto da Maiano and continued into the early XVI century. However, on the ground floor it is also possible to find wooden models of the palace by Giuliano da San Gallo.
The palace is very impressive: in order to build it the Strozzi family bought and destroyed many of the surrounding buildings. The main goal of Filippo Strozzi, the family member who responsible for starting the project, was to build the biggest palace in the city and therefore exert the families dominance over that of their bitter rivals the Medici family. The Strozzi’s had alternating fortunes, caused by the strong opposition to the reigning family in Florence, which forced them in and out of palace residence until the beginning of the XX century.
Nowadays Strozzi Palace is home to some important institutions like the Institute of Humanist Studies, the Renaissance Studies Institute, the Gabinetto Vieusseux and the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi. From the postwar years onwards, the piano nobile (the noble floor) has been reserved for international exhibitions, while the basement or Strozzina is now a centre for contemporary culture.
The Strozzi’s courtyard, which was designed by Simone del Pollaiolo, is surrounded by large columns and decorated with Corinthian capitals that together form a four-sided arcade. You can access it from three nearby large sets of doors and it is really worth visiting – especially around cocktail hour!
Travel tip: In the courtyard, you will find the elegant, Giacosa Café, where you can sit and have e peaceful break while admiring the majesty of the building. The café changes its name in correspondence to the name of the exhibition. Which makes it hard to find, but all the more exclusive.
Opening Hours:
Major Exhibition – Piano Nobile (first floor)
Open daily 9.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. (including holidays)
Thursdays 9.00 a.m. -11.00 p.m. (including holidays)
Centre for Contemporary Culture Strozzina
Tuesday-Sunday 10.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. (including holidays)
Thursday 10.00 a.m. – 11.00 p.m. Special free entrance from 6.00 pm (only at the CCC Strozzina) (including holidays)
Monday closed (excluding holidays)
Visitors admitted up to one hour before exhibition closes
Tickets:
Full price € 12,50; Reduced € 8,50; € 8,00; schools and university groups €4.00