Piazza del Duomo, 10
Florence Italy
2016

https://www.regione.toscana.it/-/palazzo-guadagni-strozzi-sacrati

Regione Toscana Palazzo Guadagni Strozzi Sacrati

Monumental historic building overlooking Piazza del Duomo, it was built at the beginning of the 17th century on the medieval houses of the Bischeri family and progressively enlarged by the Guadagni marquises; it assumed its current appearance in the 19th century with Anna Strozzi. The structure is spread over more than 3,400 square meters, divided into several blocks.

Over the centuries the owners have modified the structure of the building several times, enriching it with details and decorations: in the 18th century a monumental staircase was added, a ballroom (built for the wedding of Giovan Battista Guadagni with Teresa Torrigiani), decorations paintings by Antonio Vannetti and A. Domenico Giarré.

Early 1800s were added a garden with an aviary, numerous frescoes with mythological subjects on the ground floor of the first floor, the new façade on via dell'Oriuolo, the decorations on the upper floors (where the hall stands out with the scene of the meeting between Bianca Hat and Francesco I de' Medici, painted by Annibale Gatti).

In 1871 the palace went to Massimiliano Strozzi of the Mantua branch , heir to the Sacrati of Ferrara , who did further work to raise the structure and stables by one floor.

The last interventions were made in 1918 by the widow of Massimiliano, Guendalina Steward and her son Ubert, who installed the lift in front of the monumental staircase in 1918, added new volumes on the east side and created the neo-rococo layout of the alcove room on the first floor.

The building was purchased by the Tuscany Region and has housed the seat of the Presidency since 2008.



Lion's Head Door Knockers
Some historians believe this emblem could have something to do with a particular clan or dynasty and others or that the lion's head performs the functions of a guardian, much like the statues of lions found all over Italy.

The lion has been used as symbol and is thought to signify strength, pride, protection and power. A Lion's head door knocker acts a guardian to the home.

Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto.