Palatine Gallery

One of Florence's most impressive museums is across the river in an opulent palace. The Palatine Gallery occupies a wing of the Pitti Palace on the "piano nobile", the first floor where the Medici grand dukes danced, held court and lived. They amassed an amazing collection of artwork that is on display, still hanging in their original spots and frames, revealing a bit of the taste and decor exhibited by the noble family. It passed to the grand dukes of Lorraine, who added some foreign and more "recent" works to the collection. The House of Lorraine opened the museum in 1828, including the magnificent Royal Apartments, with their regal interiors and sumptuous setting.

The Palatine Gallery is an art-lover's must see. You'll find masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, Pietro da Cortona, Tintoretto, Carracci, Lucan Giordano...and many more! Filling more than 20 rooms, it is a fabulous place to spend several hours gazing at some of Italy's most beautiful artwork. Included are Roman sculptures and works by French and foreign artists, as well.

After touring the grand salons, enjoy the well-planned gardens adjacent to the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens.