The Palatine Gallery occupies the whole left wing of the first floor of the Pitti Palace, which was the residence of the Medici grand-dukes. In 1828, when Tuscany came under the rule of the Lorraine family, the most important paintings in the Palace, most of which had been collected by the Medici, were hung in the Gallery.

It is an impressive collection comprising works by Raphael, Titian, Correggio, Rubens, Pietro da Cortona and other Italian and European masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The paintings, which are sumptuously framed, cover the walls of the rooms in the style of traditional 17th-century picture galleries. The way they are hung and the rich plaster and fresco decoration of the suite of six rooms overlooking the piazza give the Gallery its particular fascination.

From the Palatine Gallery the visit continues through the Royal Apartments. They consist of fourteen magnificent rooms which were the home of the Medici and Lorraine grand-ducal families and, from 1865, of the king of Italy.

Location: On the south side of the Arno river, 5 minutes walk from Ponte Vecchio.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8.15-18.50. Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, May 1st, Christmas Day. The Royal Apartments are closed for maintenance every year in January

Tickets: Full price EURO 6,50, Reduced Euro 3,25. Free admission

Bookings: Firenze Musei, Tel: +39 055294883. Booking charge: Euro 3 per person

Disabled persons: Lifts available off the courtyard.

Schools:Free entry. Booking is compulsory but there is no charge (Tel: +39 055290112)
A list of the students and teachers on headed note-paper must be handed in at the ticket office.
If a guide is required, arrangements can be made with Firenze Musei when booking the visit. Charge: Euro 3 per student.

How to contact the Gallery: Ph. +39 0552388614, Fax: +39 0552388613, E-mail: galleriapalatina.galleri@tin.it