Riccardi Medici Palace
Museum Gallery
4.5 (8279 reviews)
15th-century palace designed by Michelozzo for the Medici family, with art museum & famous chapel.
Via Camillo Cavour, 3, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy
+39 055 276 0552
Did You Know?
Patron of the Arts
The Palazzo Medici Riccardi was commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici the Elder, the patriarch of the powerful Medici banking family, making it the first grand palace of the Renaissance in Florence.
Architectural Innovation
The palace is famous for its three-tiered facade, which employs rough-hewn stone (rustication) on the ground floor, progressively smoother stone on the upper floors, creating an illusion of diminishing weight and greater elegance towards the top.
Chapel Frescoes
The private chapel within the palace houses the magnificent 'Procession of the Magi' frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli, a lavish depiction that includes portraits of members of the Medici family and their contemporaries.
Original Architect
The palace was designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo (often simply known as Michelozzo), a favorite architect of Cosimo de' Medici. His design set a new standard for urban palazzo architecture.
Highlights from Reviews
• Stunning Ceilings
The ceiling paintings, especially in the Gallery of Mirrors and Magi Chapel, are breathtaking with vibrant colors, intricate details, and rich symbolism.
• Peaceful Atmosphere
The palace is notably less crowded than other Florentine attractions, offering a calm and tranquil environment for leisurely exploration.
• Rich Medici History
The palace provides an immersive journey into the history, power, and legacy of the Medici family through its architecture, art, and stories.
• Architectural Beauty
The impressive Renaissance architecture, elegant courtyard, and interior decorations showcase the grandeur and artistic prowess of its era.
• Magi Chapel
The Magi Chapel, with Gozzoli's captivating frescoes, is consistently highlighted as a must-see for its artistic and historical significance.
