Museums & galleries
Palazzo Davanzati
What it is
Palazzo Davanzati is a fortified 14th-century merchant's house that now holds the Museum of the Old Florentine House. Unlike Florence's larger museums, it shows how a wealthy Florentine family actually lived: the rooms are furnished with period beds, chests, ceramics, and textiles across several floors, connected by an internal loggia and stone staircase. It's a good stop for anyone interested in domestic life and interior decoration of the period rather than painting and sculpture.
Getting there
The palazzo sits in the historic centre, a short walk from Piazza della Repubblica. From most points in central Florence it's within 10-15 minutes on foot; from the Duomo it's about a 5-minute walk. There's no need for public transport if you're already staying centrally.
Time to allow
Plan on 1 to 1.5 hours to see the furnished rooms and courtyard at a reasonable pace.
When to go
The museum is smaller in scale than the Uffizi or Palazzo Pitti and tends to draw fewer visitors, so queuing isn't usually a major issue. Mornings are generally quieter than midafternoon. Some upper floors or rooms are occasionally closed to visitors on rotation, so treat any single visit as showing a selection of the interior rather than the whole building.
What to combine it with
- Loggia del Mercato Nuovo (0.1km) — right around the corner, worth a quick look on the way.
- Piazza della Repubblica (0.2km) — a couple of minutes' walk, useful for a coffee break or as an orientation point.
- Orsanmichele (0.2km) — a short walk away, its exterior niche statues pair well with the palazzo's focus on Florentine craftsmanship.
- Basilica of the Holy Trinity (0.2km) — also close by, easy to fit into the same walking loop through the centre.
Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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