Loggia dei Lanzi

So many gorgeous statues, including a representation of David, you can enter the Loggia for free, and admire the Piazza from inside de Loggia. A must visit when in Firenze and a refuge from rain when it's the case.

The Loggia offers one of the most dramatic open-air sculpture displays anywhere in Florence, essentially a museum without walls sitting right off Piazza della Signoria. The setting alone is remarkable: a 14th-century ceremonial loggia built for public gatherings, now home to a collection of marble and bronze works that chart centuries of mythology, political messaging, and artistic ambition. The sculptures themselves create a kind of frozen theatre. Giambologna's Rape of the Sabine Women spirals upward in a feat of technical showmanship, every limb and expression pulling the eye higher. Nearby, Hercules and Nessus captures strength and struggle in uncompromising detail. Even the quieter Roman works along the back wall add weight, grounding the space in the classical traditions the Renaissance loved to resurrect. What makes the Loggia especially compelling is how seamlessly art and everyday life mix here-people rest in the shade beneath figures carved for dukes and princes, tourists drift through scenes once intended to convey power and virtue, and the whole space stays completely open to the street. No ticket, no queue, just world-class sculpture integrated into the rhythm of the city. A perfect stop to linger, cool down, and take in some of Florence's most expressive storytelling in stone.

Loggia dei Lanzi is the open stone room that anchors the south side of Piazza della Signoria, a three-bay Gothic hall that once sheltered Florentine assemblies and oath taking. Its big ogival arches face the square, with trefoiled panels of painted virtues lining the parapet and two Medici lions guarding the steps. Under the vaults the function has shifted from politics to display. Bronze and marble figures pack the space: Cellini’s Perseus holding up Medusa’s head, Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women twisting upwards, Hercules grappling Nessus, Roman generals and captive barbarians along the back. Built for a republic, then used as a Medici viewing box, it now works as a free-side gallery of the Uffizi and a permanent theatre of power.

The Loggia della Signoria is the informal name of the Loggia della Signoria (or Loggia della Signoria), a famous open-air architectural gallery in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence. It is an open-air sculpture museum housing both ancient and Renaissance masterpieces. Built in the 14th century, it was originally used as a meeting and ceremonial space, and later took its name from the landsknechts (lanzi) who served there. Totally free for visit,Definitely recommend it.

The Loggia dei Lanzi is a stunning open-air sculpture gallery right on Piazza della Signoria. It’s like stepping into a live history lesson—every corner is filled with incredible Renaissance and classical statues, including Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa and Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women. Being outdoors makes it easy to admire the details up close, and the open arches give a beautiful frame for photos of the surrounding piazza. The atmosphere is lively yet contemplative, blending art, history, and Florence’s city life in one spot.

What a delight! The Loggia dei Lanzi is like an open-air art gallery right in the heart of Florence — and it’s completely free. You can walk right up to world-class sculptures without barriers or tickets. The highlights are incredible: Cellini’s bronze Perseus with the Head of Medusa, Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women, and Hercules and the Centaur Nessus. There are also several ancient Roman statues of noble women and warriors along the back wall, plus two stone lions guarding the entrance — one ancient, one a later copy. A few of the sculptures are originals, others are copies placed here to protect the real ones from weathering, but the atmosphere is still powerful. The level of artistry on display — right there in the open — is something special. Come early morning or near sunset when the light hits the marble just right. It’s right beside Palazzo Vecchio and steps from the Uffizi, so you can easily pair your visit with either. No queues, no rush, just world-class art and history in the middle of the square. Truly one of Florence’s most beautiful free experiences.

The Loggia dei Lanzi is an open-air museum in the heart of Florence, and it’s absolutely captivating! The stunning arches and the impressive collection of sculptures, including Perseus with the Head of Medusa, are remarkable. It’s the perfect spot to admire art and history while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Piazza della Signoria. A must-visit for any art lover!

A beautiful piazza with replicas of statues. The Perseus statue is the original and one I most wanted to see and it was stunning. I highly recommend stopping by to admire the sculptures!

"You may not want to be a god, Perseus, but after feats like yours, men will worship you. Be good to them. Be better than we were." - Zeus to Perseus Ciao! Want to know a Florentine secret? One of the most unique galleries in the world can be seen here absolutely free! No, you don't need high-cheek bones and Ferragamo shoes to enter. All you need is a passion for the arts, a temperature check at entry, and the willingness to say "Mille Grazie"... Loggia dei Lanzi has a storied past. It dates to the 1300's with some statues that predate the high arcs, most date to Italian Renaissance of the 1500's, and a chosen few even later. For me, I absolutely love this open-air gallery, not only cause I'm frugal lol, but because of it's rich history and how eclectic it is. Medici lions guard the steps of the Loggia, marble statues of lions, heraldic symbols of Florence; the lion on the right dates around the birth of Christ, and the lion on the left was sculpted by Flaminio Vacca in 1598. Almost immediately you will notice on the far left the bronze statue of Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini. It depicts the mythical Greek hero holding his sword in his right hand and holding up Medusa's severed head in his left. It's a gruesome scene with blood gushing from the head and the neck of the dead Medusa. Truly the highlight, imo. Other impressive statues tower around you as you gaze upwards, a feeling of mortality, ominous aura you're in a battle scene of Clash of the Titans! The sculpture Hercules and Centaur, by Giambologna dates to 1599, another of my favorites. Not as celebrated or thought provoking as his Rape of the Sabine Women nearby, but a mighty statue that will grab your attention. Just the Greek Mythology nerd in me, I guess lol. Ti amerò per sempre! Lining the back wall of the Loggia are five marble female statues (three are identified as Matidia, Marciana and Agrippina Minor), Sabines and a statue of a barbarian prisoner Thusnelda from ancient Roman times from the era of Trajan to Hadrian. Discovered in Rome in 1541and brought to Loggia in the 1700's. Where they stand today. In the end, I highly recommend a visit to Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. It's inevitable, because it's in the heart of it all, surrounded by the Uffizi Gallery and the historic Piazza della Signoria. Finally, the name Loggio dei Lanzi derives from the German mercenary guards who were once stationed here in the 16th century! How eclectic is that, right?! Ti Amo!

Free art. I love it. The Loggia dei Lanzi is an open air sculpture gallery in the Piazza della Signoria. Complete with rope chains and a security guard, it did not look like it is open but it is. Even the building is an artwork - pilasters with Corintian capitals. The structure was built between 1376 and 1382 by Benci di Cione and Simone di Francesco Talenti. The name Loggia dei Lanzi dates back to the reign of Grand Duke Cosimo I. After the construction of the Uffizi at the rear of the Loggia, the Loggia's roof was modified by Bernardo Buontalenti and became a terrace from which the Medici princes could watch ceremonies in the piazza. The building deserves serious study as there are many hidden sculptures built in that need to be noticed. Look for the façade trefoils that represent Fortitude, Temperance, Justice and Prudence. On the side of the Loggia, there is a Latin inscription from 1750 commemorating the change of the Florentine calendar in 1749 to bring it into line with the Roman calendar. (See https://www.yelp.com/biz/april-fools-day-trento?hrid=YOwCjdLmgSnJo4kXxkYGEg.) The sculptures are themselves fantastic and worth viewing. Classic artworks that each tell a story and should be read up on as well. My favorite was the bronze statue of Perseus that shows the hero holding Medusa's severed head. Gross. [Review 17011 overall - 214 in Italy - 527 of 2022.]

Loggia dei Lanzi, in the Piazza della Signoria, is an open-air (and free) museum that was designed in the 14th century by Orcagna, an influential architect and artist. The original purpose of the loggia was to shield dignitaries from the elements during ceremonies, public meetings, and events. Today it houses a number of statues. Below the building's curved arches are dozens of sculptures (notable ones include Giambologna's Rape of the Sabines and Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa), which draw crowds of tourists and locals alike. Just Behind it sits the Uffizi Gallery. The Loggia dei Lanzi is almost like an outdoor museum with its collection of impressive Renaissance and Roman sculptures. The tradition of installing statues in the loggia started in 1494 when the Florentines expelled the Medici, who had ruled over the city for more than 150 years. One of these masterpieces is the Abduction of the Sabine Virgins, a marble sculpture group created in 1585 by Giambologna, a Flemish sculptor best known by his Italian name. Another statue in the loggia by the same artist is called 'Hercules slaying the Centaur Nessus'. you will stroll this gallery without even knowing its name for sure. I got the name only when i was reviewing Palazzo Vecchio and now i am writing review separately ;)

Loggia dei Lanzi is an outdoor art gallery located in the Piazza Signoria. There a ton of awesome statues. The statue holding the head was my favorite. Very busy area since the Piazza Signoria is a very popular area in Florence. Great place to people watch and look at some cool free statues.

Most tourists in their quest to get to the Palazzo Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery walk right by this loggia. They might glance over and take a quick look at the statues; but, never really go in and look at them closely. We decided to spend some time gazing at the beauty of the statues. There is a nice place to sit and just soak it all in.

Loggia dei Lanzi is actually a part of Piazza della Signoria but to me the superstar of it. Loggia dei Lanzi is an open-air sculpture gallery designed in 1376 and best of all, it's free, leaving you free to linger in admiration as long as you like. As an open air statuary it's unparalleled as it houses the bronze statue of Perseus, the mythical Greek hero holding his sword in his right hand with Medusa's severed head in his left, Rape of the Sabine Women by the Flemish artist Jean de Boulogne, Giambologna's Hercules beating the Centaur Nessus along with so many others.

If you offered me three sandwiches and the opportunity to enjoy them anywhere in the world, the Loggia dei Lanzi would be one of those three choices. Serving as a shelter from the crowds passing through Firenze and the sun bearing down upon the city, this open-air gallery also houses amazing statues from Renaissance artists like Cellini, Giambologna, Fedi, Fancelli and Vacca.

This review is for the Loggia dei Lanzi at Piazza della Signoria, 50121, Florence, Italy The area is a must see, and should not be missed. This outdoor sculpture display is covered to protect it from weather. Great place to stop and rest while walking about. There are guards that keep stupid people from climbing the art, but they are very nice, unless you are one of the stupid of course.

Also called the Loggia della Signoria, the Loggia dei Lanzi is a great place to sit, relax and people-watch in the shadows of some of Italy's most famous and iconic sculptures. The building is adjacent to the incredible Uffizi gallery and across from the Palazzo Vecchio, outside of which stands a replica of Michaelangelo's David. Many art students and art lovers can be seen sitting here with their sketchbooks and pencils hoping to glean a bit of inspiration from the genius of the surrounding Italian masters. The most amazing part is that this is a public space, open to everyone, free of charge. Traveling through Europe can be VERY expensive (especially if you're traveling with two teenage boys with bottomless stomachs, like we were), so stumbling across a freebee like this every now and then was much appreciated.

Loggia dei Lanzi (also referred to as the Loggia della Signoria or Logia della Orcagna) is a free outdoor museum in the heart of Firenze. This free mini museum is located on the corner of the Piazza della Signoria and adjoins the Uffizi Gallery which if you are visiting Firenze, you simply cannot miss! Loggia (which literally means an open area on the side of a building with a roof) was actually proposed by Michelangelo to characterize the now infamous Piazza! Enjoy a gelato or massive focaccia sandwich (or both, like I did! hehe) while walking around the Loggia and admiring the statuary. On display is the artistic genius of Cellini, Giambologna and Pio Fedi. My favorite sculptures of the Loggia (and probably most famous) are the representations of Perseus with Medusa's head and The Rape of the Sabine Women. The bronze Perseus statue by Cellini presents the Greek hero with a sword in one hand and Medusa's head in the other. Displaying three figures, The Rape of the Sabine Women was made by the Giambologna from the largest block of white marble ever brought to Firenze. Like many Renaissance statues, the bodies are immaculate with faces full of expression. The Rape of the Sabine Women in particular looks like a snapshot in time. With the ability to walk around most of the pieces in the Loggia, you can truly admire them with a 360 degree view.

Everyone in Florence wants to see Michelangelo's David, yet most people don't even blink an eye at the ridiculous statue of Perseus holding Medusa's head with entrails falling out. This statue, along with many others, are viewable for free at Loggia dei Lanzi. We spent a lot of time admiring the statues here. Not only is it free, but it isn't crowded (in July, mind you) and it's outdoors in the shade. There are plaques describing all of the artwork, so it feels more like a museum than just random, unlabeled piazza sculptures. In short, you'll probably walk through this area anyway (intentionally or not), so you might as well check it out.