Commissioned by the banker Luca Bonaccorso Pitti to Filippo Brunelleschi, in the second half of the 15th century, Palazzo Pitti is situated in the great square, in the area that the Florentines call "Diladdarno" or "beyond the Arno" at the feet of Boboli. The Palace has a long history of various works and extensions which have lasted throughout for centuries. The present version of Palazzo Pitti is larger than its original smaller body dimensions which consisted of two floors covered with rustic stone ashlars. The Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders all helped to enrich this architectural Renaissance style of austere and balance.
In 1550 the Palazzo was purchased by Cosimo of the Medici family with intention of a new residence, and in 1558 he commissioned Bartolomeo Ammannati to do work on refining aspects which also included the addition of large windows in the facade called inginocchiate, and the creation of the courtyard.
The creation and construction of the Great Garden Boboli, named for by the homonymous hill, was commissioned out to Niccolò Tribolo. The addition of a vast corridor for the family, so as to be able to walk from the Palazzo to the Piazza Signoria protected from the dangers of an attack, was built in 1565 by Vasari.
In 1618, under the direction of Giulio da Paragi, the works continued.
The Palazzo was extended with an addition of two other buildings with two floors each. The Palazzo’s present length is due to the adjustments done by Alfonso da Parigi in 1640.
The halls of entertainment in the summertime residence on the ground floor were decorated during the period of Grand Duke Ferdinando II, for the event of his wedding with Vittoria della Rovere, which was to take place in his winter residence.
Great artists such as Giovanni da Sangiovanni and Pietro da Cortona were summoned to render the palace breathtakingly royal with their extraordinary works.
At the end of the 18th century, the final addition was made to the building which was the Palazzina della Meridiana, commissioned by Pietro Leopoldi to Gaspare Maria Paoletti and Pasquale Poccianti and done in neo-classical style.
Today the seat of important museums, Palazzo Pitti through time has assumed different functions.
With expositions of Silver, China wares, Costumes, Carriages, a Modern Art Gallery and the Garden of Boboli, it is possible to visit the splendour of a long ago epoch which has managed to stay alive through history for us to admire today.
