Palazzo Davanzati is a palace in Florence, Italy. Now it is a Museum, furnished nobleman's home, full of atmosphere and charm. Its most important feature is the architectural structure, which represents an interesting example of a 14th century house, showing the transition stage from the medieval tower house to the Renaissance buildings.
The building is made of sandstone, with three large entrances on a horizontal axis and three levels of vertical Windows. The topmost floor has a loggia supported by four columns and two pilasters that was added in the 16th century.
The Palace represents a stage of transition between the closed, vertical structure of the medieval tower-house and the more spacious Renaissance palazzo, arranged around a central courtyard.
On the ground floor, the facade features three large wooden gates that were once used as an open loggia for chatting, commercial trading, waiting room and playground for family children. Leading up from the courtyard, supported by projecting flying buttresses, are the stairs: in stone up to the first floor and made of wood further above. Each floor features spaces dedicated to the private life of the family.
The walls of the main room and the bedrooms are decorated with frescoes and covered in tapestries in winter to keep warm. The walls of several rooms are entirely painted, displaying geometric motifs, birds and more. Up high on the walls, there is a painted arched loggia that looks out onto a garden with plants and trees.
The most interesting fresco decoration is in a private bedroom named “Camera della Castellana”. The upper part of the wall features a cycle of paintings of narrative characters: around the entire wall, there are arches of a loggia with a garden that forms the background to the various chapters of the courtly tale. It's a morality tale about love and death that was very famous in Florence in the 14th century.
The absolutely modern concept within the palace is expressed by the presence of an internal well, the rare toilet on all floors, a fully equipped kitchen on the third floor, all perfect comfort for the noble family who lived in here during the Middle Ages. Each room showcases the culture, refinement and taste of the ancient owners.
Palazzo Davanzati is one of the most fascinating museums in Florence. It is a magical historic bond with the Middle Ages, while its decorated colorful walls are simply outstanding.
References
Fulceri, E. (2017). Palazzo Davanzati: Medieval cuisine and domestic affairs. https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-museums/palazzo-davanzati.html
Sebastiani, D. (2009). "Un Cupido a quattro zampe". Medioevo (149): 47.
The Museums of Florence. (n.d.). Palazzo Davanzati or the Ancient Florentine Home. http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/palazzo_davanzati.html
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