Palazzo Strozzi Palace

Address: Palazzo Strozzi, Piazza Strozzi, 50123 Firenze (Florence), Italy

Website: https://www.palazzostrozzi.org/

Hours: Hours vary by exhibition - check website

Palazzo Strozzi is a Renaissance palace in central Florence, Italy, built for the Strozzi family. Construction began in 1489 and the building is noted for its rusticated stone facade and large central courtyard.

The palace contains a large open courtyard and extensive exhibition spaces that are used for rotating international and national art shows, design exhibitions and cultural programming. Its scale and location near other historic sites make it a regular stop for visitors interested in Renaissance architecture and temporary exhibitions.

Commissioned by Filippo Strozzi in the late 15th century, the palace was built over several decades and has passed through different uses while retaining its original exterior form. In the 20th and 21st centuries it has been restored and repurposed as a major exhibition venue.

The building occupies Piazza Strozzi in the historic centre of Florence, within walking distance of the Duomo and other principal landmarks of the city.

• Founding date: Construction was begun in 1489 for the Strozzi banking family and the palace is a prominent example of Florentine Renaissance urban architecture.
• Exhibitions: The palace regularly hosts major temporary art and cultural exhibitions drawing contemporary international curators and loans.

What to See#

• Central courtyard: A large rusticated stone courtyard dating from the original Renaissance construction, used for temporary installations and visible from the surrounding streets.
• Exhibition galleries: Ground and upper-floor exhibition spaces that host international temporary shows of art, design and history, programmed by the Palazzo Strozzi cultural organisation.

Palazzo Strozzi sits in Florence’s historic centre a short walk from major landmarks: it’s about a 10-15 minute (≈1 km) walk east from Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station and only a few minutes on foot from the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Many city buses stop nearby, but the site is easiest reached on foot from the central station or any nearby tram/bus stop in the historic core.

• Book a timed ticket in advance and aim for a weekday morning or late afternoon slot to avoid the busiest museum crowds in central Florence.
• Enter from Piazza Strozzi and spend time in the central Renaissance courtyard-many visitors rush inside and miss the courtyard installations and the Strozzina contemporary exhibition spaces that often run alongside the main shows.
• Check the current exhibition schedule on the Palazzo Strozzi website before you go; combining a major temporary exhibition with a quieter visit to the palace rooms gives a better experience than just viewing the façade.