Gondi Palace

The Gondi Palace, located in Piazza San Firenze, is one of the most fascinating examples of Renaissance architecture in Florence. Designed by Giuliano da Sangallo in 1490 commissioned by Giuliano di Lionardo Gondi, the palace was inspired by the great Medici and Strozzi palaces, but with a stylistic reinterpretation that makes it unique. The Gondi family, influential bankers and merchants, played a crucial role in the economic and social history of Florence, and this building represents their aspiration to show power and sophistication. The cubic structure of the palace is developed around a central courtyard, a common feature in Renaissance palaces. The facade has rusticated stone on three floors, with arched windows following a harmonious rhythm. The windows on the first and second floors are particularly innovative, with stone profiles arranged in a radial pattern, similar to a faceted gemstone. This design is an example of Sangallo’s skill in using decorative elements to create a visually striking effect. The history of the palace is marked by significant events and illustrious figures. In 1495, it hosted Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, during his visit to Florence. Despite interruptions and modifications made over the centuries, the palace remained incomplete until the 19th century, when architect Giuseppe Poggi oversaw its expansion and restoration, respecting Sangallo’s original design and balancing the facade with a new axis of windows and a third door. An interesting aspect of the Gondi Palace is its connection to Leonardo da Vinci, who lived in a house of the Gondi family before it was demolished for the palace’s expansion. It is said that Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa during his stay in this house, although this tradition is not documented. As a testament to this connection, a commemorative plaque has been placed in the entrance hall on Via de’ Gondi. The palace courtyard, with Corinthian columns and a central fountain, is one of the most evocative spaces in the building. The fountain, built in 1652, uses water from the Boboli Gardens, the same source that feeds the Fountain of Neptune. Under the portico of the courtyard, there is a Roman statue, traditionally identified as Senator Macrinus, and various coats of arms of the Gondi family. The monumental staircase of the palace, designed by Sangallo, is a masterpiece of Renaissance design. Each step is decorated with zoomorphic and phytomorphic figures, and the ceiling is adorned with cornucopias and diamonds, symbols of wealth and abundance. On the noble floor, the large hall houses a monumental sandstone fireplace, also designed by Sangallo, with allegorical bas-reliefs and statues of Hercules and Samson. In the 18th century, the alcove was decorated for the marriage of Angelo Gondi to Elisabetta Cerretani. The frescoes and stucco reliefs are the work of Matteo Bonechi and Giovanni Battista Ciceri, respectively. Other rooms on the noble floor include the Room of Landscapes and the Room of Jupiter and Hebe, with decorations by Luigi Catani. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the palace underwent various restoration interventions, including the recovery of the third floor and the creation of a rooftop garden designed by landscape architect Pietro Porcinai. In 2005, Bernardo Gondi initiated a long conservation restoration, bringing the building back to its former glory.