Grant Allen

Florence Grant Allen

In the thirteenth century the Bargello (to be visited later) was the seat of the Florentine Government. But in 1298, about the same time when Santa Croce and the Cathedral were rising above their foundations, the City began to feel the want of a second stronghold for its new democratic (or oligarchic) authorities, and of a fitting hall for its deliberative assemblies. In that year, therefore, the Signoria commissioned the great Arnolfo di Cambio, who was already engaged in building the Duomo, to begin the erection of a vast castle, now known as the Palazzo Vecchio. It was evidently based in idea upon the Palazzo Pubblico in the rival town of Siena, the foundations of which appear to have been laid some nine years earlier.