San Firenze Square or the Square of San Florence (Piazza di San Firenze) is one of the most visited squares of the historical center of Florence, where the sights of the city are concentrated, there are palaces, museums and churches.
The square was named "Firenze" because of the distortion of the name of the church dedicated to San Fiorenzo (Chiesa di San Fiorenzo) that previously existed here.
The square is located in the oldest part of the historical center of Florence, close to such landmarks of the city as Uffizi Gallery, Signoria Square and Duomo Square.
In historical buildings and palaces around and near the square there are museums, churches, shops, cafes, restaurants and accommodation facilities (hotels, apartments)
The dominant feature of San Firenze Square is the complex of San Firenze (Complesso di San Firenze), which is one of the rare examples of the Baroque style in the city, within the walls of which the Zeffirelli Museum (Museo Zeffirelli) and the Church of San Filippo Neri (Chiesa di San Filippo Neri) are now located.
The history of the complex dates back to 1640, when the Filipino fathers who came to Florence from Rome received a gift from Pope Urban VIII of the territory, including the tower houses and the church of San Fiorenzo, which was mentioned since 1174. The Filipinos wanted to create a large complex, including a monastery, a church and a chapel dedicated to the Florentine saint San Filippo Neri, the founder of the order and canonized in 1622.
Until 2012, the complex housed a court. Now the complex belongs to the Municipality of Florence, and it houses a museum and a church, as well as various events. More about the San Firenze complex…
On the opposite side of the square from the complex there are buildings.
Among these buildings, the Gondi Palace (Palazzo Gondi) stands out in the Italian Renaissance style, which is one of the best in the city and has been owned by the Gondi family for more than 500 years.
The palace was commissioned by Giuliano di Lionardo Gondi in 1490-1501 according to the design of the Italian architect Giuliano da Sangallo, who took as an example for the construction of other majestic buildings in the city, such as Medici Palace and Palace Strozzi, but with an updated stylistic reinterpretation.
Today, the palace, with its monumental courtyard and interiors with frescoes, paintings by Italian and French artists, as well as furniture, sculptures and other decorations and household items, still belongs to the descendants of the Gondi family, and it can be visited partially by appointment. There is a bar on the ground floor.
Events and private evenings are also held in the elegant halls of the palace. On infrequent open days, free access to the palace is possible. More about Gondi Palace…
On the north side, where the Piazza San Firenze flows into Proconsolo Street (Via del Proconsolo), the Bargello stands out - the former Bargello Palace (Palazzo del Bargello, Palazzo del Bargello), also known as the Palazzo Popolo (Palace of the People, Palazzo del Popolo / Palace of the People), which is now an artistic National the Bargello Museum (Museo Nazionale del Bargello).
This is the oldest public building in Florence, the construction of which dates back to 1255.
Now the museum houses some of the most important sculptures of the Renaissance, including masterpieces by Donatello, Luca della Robbia, Verrocchio, Michelangelo and Cellini, mostly from the collection of the Medici Grand Duke. More about the Bargello Palace Museum…
Opposite Bargello is notable Badia Fiorentina or Florentine Badia, which translates as Florentine Abbey (Badia Fiorentina) - an abbey with an important Catholic church, a monastery with courtyards and works of art, which has an exterior and interiors with an overlay of different styles and architectures. More about the abbey…
View of the abbey and surrounding buildings from Piazza San Firenze
The corner of the southwest side of Piazza San Firenze forms the Palazzo Vecchio building (Palazzo Vecchio, which translates as "Old Palace") - the Town Hall of Florence, which is one of the most significant and famous buildings of the city.
This outstanding palace and government building was built in 1299-1314 by the Italian architect and sculptor Arnolfo di Cambio.
Externally, Palazzo Vecchio looks like a small fortified castle, which is facilitated by strict powerful features, rows of window openings, heraldic symbols in niches and a gallery crowned with battlements, a belfry and an Arnolfo tower, which enhances the appearance of the entire structure.
Today the town hall can be visited. Within its walls is the Palazzo Vecchio Museum (Museo di Palazzo Vecchio), and the Arnolfo Tower can be climbed and admire panoramic views of the city.
The main facade of the Palazzo Vecchio overlooks the neighboring Piazza della Signoria. More about Palazzo Vecchio, the museum and the tower…
On the southwest corner of Piazza San Firenze is the building of the Columbia Parliament (Palazzo Columbia-Parlamento), standing on the ancient remains of buildings of the 14th century, once owned by the Peruzzi family.
Today, this palace houses restaurants and the chic 5-star Bernini Palace Hotel, decorated with antique furniture and Murano glass chandeliers.
Some rooms are decorated in a classic style. Other rooms are decorated in the Florentine Renaissance style with antique tapestries and four-poster beds. All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, air conditioning and a minibar.
The hotel's terrace, furnished with tables and chairs, offers panoramic views.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Also on the square of San Firenze is located 4-star San Firenze Suites & Spa with a bar, private parking, free Wi-Fi and a spa with hot tub, sauna, Turkish bath, chromotherapy shower and relaxation room.
It offers rooms with an LCD TV with satellite TV, a coffee machine, a minibar, a refrigerator, air conditioning, a hairdryer, bathrobes and free toiletries. Some rooms have four-poster beds. Some rooms offer views of the city center. Guests are provided with a smartphone with internet access and the ability to make free calls to numbers in some countries.
A buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
All accommodation facilities in Florence (hotels, apartments, guest houses, etc.), including those in the historic city center, near Piazza San Firenze and more remotely from those, you can view and book here
Coordinates of San Firenze Square: 43°46'11.3"N 11°15'27.8"E (43.769811, 11.257719).
