ANTICA TORRE DI VIA TORNABUONI IN FLORENCE

The personal pleasure of welcoming guests, a desire to redefine the essence of hospitality and the insight to infuse the warmth of 'home' in every detail. It was in this spirit that the Antica Torre of Via Tornabuoni 1 in Florence was born, a tower-house built in the mid-13th century by the Guelph Ruggerini family.

In this ancient tower, we have created a world of harmony and privacy, placing a strong emphasis on satisfying our guests' requirements. Luxury, calm and beauty are perfectly expressed in the traditional Italian style, injecting a new sense of style into the concept of comfort.

Nearly all the rooms enjoy an enchanting view of the city or the Arno River and are equipped with the very best amenities, including a plasma satellite TV, satellite channels, wireless internet connection, a direct telephone line, a minibar, an electronic safe, air conditioning and heating. The private marble bathrooms have a bathtub and/or shower, a hairdryer, slippers, a shoe-horn and perfumed essences from the ancient Officina Profumo di Santa Maria Novella.

THE HISTORY OF THIS CHARMING ANCIENT TOWER IN THE HEART OF FLORENCE

The tower-house known as ‘Antica Torre Tornabuoni 1’ was built in the mid-13th century by the Guelf Ruggerini family and passed from them to the Fastelli or Pietrobono family. In the early 1300s, it was acquired by the Gianfigliazzi family and served as their residence until the end of the 18th century. It stands at the beginning of the iconic Via de' Tornabuoni street, a few steps away from the Santa Trinita Bridge, next to the church of the same name.

The Gianfigliazzi family name derives from a certain Giovanni, son of Galeazzo, called “Gian figlio d'Azzo” or ‘Gian, son of Azzo’, who is considered the progenitor of the family. The Gianfigliazzis did not hold office in the Florentine Republic because they were considered aristocratic Magnates and were associated with the Guelf political faction. However, following the Battle of Benevento, which marked the collapse of the Ghibellines, and the expulsion of the Duke of Athens from Florence, to which they had contributed significantly, the Gianfigliazzi family was granted honors and entrusted with official duties.

From then until the year 1530, the family produced thirty priors and ten high-ranking ‘Gonfalonieri’ officials, as well as several Knights of the Golden Spur order (the pontifical knightly order conferred on those who did their utmost to spread the message of the Church), war commissioners and ambassadors. They commissioned residences, lodges and towers in the Santa Trinita district and are believed to have owned other properties around the church. The Gianfigliazzi family line died out in 1764 with the demise of Canon Rinaldo di Lodovico.

English aristocrats and literary figures, entranced by Florence, favoured Antico Torre Tornabuoni as their preferred residence from the beginning of the 20th century until the Second World War. From the early 1900s, the Palazzo was home to the 'Pensione Piccioli'. Closed after the Great War, it reopened in 2001, rebranded as as a Historic Residence called the Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1, which was followed in 2008 by the Residenza d’Epoca Palazzo Gianfigliazzi di Via Tornabuoni 1.  

Thanks to careful restoration which has safeguarded the building’s charm, the evocative ambience of the Via Tornabuoni palazzo has regained life and warmth. This magnificent complex is regarded as one of the typical 'tower houses' of medieval Florence and still retains its characteristic architectural elements. It is a marvellous example of how humans can transform buildings originally designed for military purposes into havens of peace, culture and hospitality.

The building is developed over four floors with three openings on each floor. The street-facing façade features corbels and pontaie holes, reminiscent of elements characteristically seen on towers, and is divided into three sections by two string courses. This architectural geometry recalls the façade of the Torre de' Compiobbesi and is more suited to a Palazzo than a tower. The front elevation concludes with a protrusion constructed with corbels that extend the walkway above, enclosed by Guelf-style merlons, placed more for decorative purposes than by necessity. Next to the windows, iron brackets are set into the walls, which were used to support drapes and flags displayed on important festivities and occasions.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: ACCOMMODATION, WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS IN FLORENCE

Antica Torre of Via Tornabuoni 1 offers all possible services to guarantee our guests stay in the utmost comfort. We have a 24-hour reception and concierge service to ensure we can fulfil all our residents’ desires and requirements in terms of guided tours, excursions in Tuscany, chauffeurs, theatre bookings, museum and restaurant reservations, as well as being able to suggest secret itineraries to enable you to discover Florence ‘off the beaten path’.

We offer a daily room cleaning and evening turndown service. In addition, room service is available for both breakfast and light meals, available at all hours. We provide valet parking service, so once you arrive at our historical residence, our driver will take care of collecting and parking your car in a secure garage.

We have family rooms and interconnecting rooms, and provide daytime and evening babysitting services. We can host private events, such as weddings or exclusive dinners, in our Sound Lounge and the adjoining terrace, while in our Gianfigliazzi Hall, we can accommodate small meetings and corporate gatherings.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE VICINITY

Residenza d’Epoca Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1 is located on one of the most prestigious addresses in the city, Via Tornabuoni, and has sublime terraces offering breath-taking panoramic views of the city: the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the hills of Fiesole and Settignano, the Arno River, the Santa Trinita Bridge and Via Maggio, the church of San Miniato al Monte, the Forte Belvedere designed by Buontalenti, Bellosguardo hill, Palazzo Vecchio and the bell tower of Santa Trinità.