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piazza della signoria
centre of the political and social life of the city for centuries, it is without a doubt the most beautiful square of florence, built upon the ruins of the ghibelline homes, of the 13th century. the square's name actually derives from tha palace where already in the 14th century the government of the republic (called the "signoria") resided. this structure, still today the seat of the comune and the offices of the major, dominates the entire square which is "crowned"with beautiful statues and appears to the visitor a genuine "open-air" museum.
the piazza has been the stage of innumerable historic events: from the riots of the 1300's to the solemn cerimonies and proclamations of the medici; from the execution of those who had conspired against lorenzo and giuliano in 1478 (when the bodies of the murderers dangled from the windows of the palace) to the assassination of savonarola. after being tortured on the rack for weeks in the palace, this dominican monk was hung and burned along with two other brothers on the 23rd of may, 1948. one can read about this dramatic incident in the round, marble plaque in the pavement in front of the neptune fountain.
the nearness of this square to the museums and principal monuments of the city have made it a meeting place for all. at the end of an intense and tiring day, one can sit a table at one of the outdoor cafés and enjoy the "show" at sunset: the stones of the palazzo vecchio become honey-coloured and seem to give off a soft glow while the statues are already in the shadows.
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