Plizio Visual Lab

Pitti Palace

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

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The Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) is a vast, mainly Renaissance, palace in Florence, Italy. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The core of the present palazzo dates from 1458 and was originally the town residence of Luca Pitti, an ambitious Florentine banker. The palace was bought by the Medici family in 1549 and became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Over the generations, it became a treasure house, amassing paintings, plates, jewelry, and luxurious possessions. In the late 18th century, the Pitti was used as a power base by Napoleon Bonaparte and later served for a short period as the principal royal palace of the newly united Italy. Today, the palace houses several important museums and galleries, including the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Silver Museum, and the Costume and Fashion Museum. Behind the palace are the famous Boboli Gardens, one of the earliest and most significant examples of the Italian garden.

Location: Italy
Top sights: Costume Gallery Florence · Anfiteatro · Galleria Palatina

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	2	3	6	10	15	20	23	22	17	13	8	3
Rain mm	55	66	63	57	63	44	33	40	66	84	96	70

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Pitti Palace houses multiple museums and galleries that are open to the public. You can explore the Palatine Gallery, Royal Apartments, and the Boboli Gardens.

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Typical hours

The palace museums typically open from 8:15 to 18:50, with closures on Mondays. Confirm current hours as they can vary by season.

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Photography

Photography is usually allowed without flash in the galleries. The Boboli Gardens offer excellent photo opportunities of sculptures and fountains.

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Time needed

Allow at least 2-3 hours to see the main galleries and gardens. The Silver Museum and Costume Gallery can add another hour.

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Combine with

Combine Pitti Palace with the Boboli Gardens and the nearby Bardini Garden. The Oltrarno district is also full of artisan workshops and restaurants.

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Getting there

The palace is on the south bank of the Arno, a 10-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio. Buses and taxis stop nearby; the nearest tram stop is at Piazza Ferrucci.

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Insider tip

Purchase a combined ticket for the Palatine Gallery and Boboli Gardens to save money. Visit on a weekday afternoon to avoid large crowds.

Geography

Coordinates

43.76390, 11.24940

Facts

The original construction for Luca Pitti began in 1458.
Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de' Medici, bought the palace in 1549.
The Vasari Corridor connects the Pitti Palace to the Palazzo Vecchio, via the Uffizi Gallery.
The Palatine Gallery houses over 500 principally Renaissance paintings.
The Boboli Gardens cover 45,000 square meters (11 acres).
It was the royal palace of Italy from 1865 to 1871.