PALAZZO ALDOBRANDINI DEL PAPA IN FLORENCE

This historical residence is a charming 300-square metre apartment situated on the ‘piano nobile’ first floor of Palazzo Aldobrandini del Papa.

It features an ample entrance with a walk-in closet and a large bookcase containing a variety of art books, which are at the disposal of guests who have a passion for culture. The back wall is adorned with a 16th-century tapestry.

An initial 60-square-metre salon welcomes guests and offers a direct view onto the Medici Chapels.

The room is decorated with a 19th-century fresco depicting a musical allegory and still maintains the wooden gallery, which is no longer accessible, that was once used by musicians to entertain guests during evenings at the Palazzo. The furnishings consist of two large 3-seater sofas and a number of comfortable chairs, including armchairs, as well as another bookcase and a beautiful display cabinet.

A delightful gallery, entirely frescoed by Tommaso Gherardini and Lorenzo del Moro and depicting a typical winter garden scene, connects the salon to the rest of the residence and provides a cosy environment in which to enjoy a good read.

The dining room consists of a spacious room of over 50 square metres, furnished with a large central table, a bevel sideboard and a wall cabinet, both of which are from the 17th century, as well as 2 round tables for small breakfasts or dinners. This room houses the most important fresco in the Palazzo, namely ‘The Allegory of Arts and Virtues Defeating Vice’ by Vincenzo Meucci (1759).

The large bedroom with an alcove, where Pope Clement VIII Aldobrandini is believed to have slept, consists of an antechamber furnished with a splendid 17th-century chest of drawers from Piacenza surmounted by a fine oil painting illustrating a mythological scene, a large 3-door wardrobe, a 3-seater sofa and various other seats. In the alcove is the large double bed, which has an antique gold canopy. Two valuable 17th-century carved kneelers serve as bedside tables. This room portrays two frescoes from the school of Vincenzo Meucci: the ‘Allegory of Justice and Peace’ in the antechamber and ‘Jacob's Dream’ in the alcove. Both were painted by Tommaso Gherardini (1759).

The en-suite bathroom was completely renovated during the recent restoration. The wall coverings are are in Calacatta marble, and the sanitary fixtures are in classic white porcelain. There is a large full-wall shower.

The fully equipped kitchen area is wide and modern, spanning 6 metres. The workstations have three extractor hoods and have been designed to enable three chefs to work simultaneously. It contains every kind of appliance and utensil.

Completing the apartment is a small bedroom/study embellished with a delightful frescoed vault with floral and delicate lacework motifs, a second bathroom with a bathtub where the original Bardiglio marble flooring from the era has been preserved, and a convenient walk-in closet area with 2 large wardrobes.

THE HISTORY OF PALAZZO ALDOBRANDINI DEL PAPA

Palazzo Aldobrandini is located at n° 8, Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini in Florence, behind the Basilica of San Lorenzo and just next to the entrance to the Medici Chapels. The noble Aldobrandini family, originally from Florence, were particularly prominent in the 16th century because many of its members had brilliant careers in both the legal and ecclesiastical fields.

Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini is named after Madonna Giovanna degli Aldobrandini, née Altoviti, the wife of merchant Benci, who lived around the middle of the 14th century. The local residents dedicated the square to her to honour the generosity and rectitude for which this ‘Madonna’ had distinguished herself during her lifetime.

The Palazzo in Piazza Madonna is called ‘del Papa’ (of the Pope) because it is believed that this is where Pope Clement VIII, formerly Ippolito Aldobrandini, stayed whenever he visited Florence. The current building stands where several houses owned by the Aldobrandini del Nero family had been located since the 14th century. Having enlarged the properties with the purchase of further neighbouring edifices, other members of the Aldobrandini family from a collateral Florentine branch promoted the unification of the various structures between the late 17th and early 18th centuries, which now occupies a large area that includes a right-angle corner of Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini (formerly Campo Corbolini) and two appendices on Via de' Conti (formerly Via della Forca) and Via del Giglio. The form of these two adjacent units, juxtaposed at an angle, is extremely unusual in terms of Florentine architecture.

Palazzo Aldobrandini del Papa underwent major renovations in the 18th century, resulting in the current appearance that this historical residence now has. At that time, it had passed into the hands of another family branch after the extinction of the papal line (dating from Pope Clement VIII, Ippolito Aldobrandini) in 1690. In 1861, it passed by inheritance to a noble Venetian family, who subsequently sold it.

The Palazzo is spread over three floors. The main entrance leads to a barrel-vaulted entrance hall decorated in the 19th century. The wrought-iron gate and carved door displaying the Aldobrandini coat of arms in front of the staircase are both particularly striking.

On the first floor, there are rooms containing mural paintings both by Vincenzo Meucci (1759) and artists from the early 19th century. Meucci was commissioned to decorate the ceilings of the ‘piano nobile’ floor by Giovan Francesco Aldobrandini in 1759 on the occasion of his wedding to Maria Cristina Bourbon del Monte Santa Maria. In addition to the ‘Allegory of the Virtues and the Arts’ by this master painter, it is also possible to admire the artistry of Tommaso Gherardini in ‘Jacob's Dream’ in the bridal chamber, ‘The Allegory of Justice and Peace’ in the antechamber, as well as ‘The Allegory of Spring’ on the vault of the small gallery that connects the entrance hall to the rest of the apartment.

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

The reception rooms of the ‘piano nobile’ first floor of Palazzo Aldobrandini del Papa are available for private and corporate events. Its ceilings are decorated with outstanding 18th-century frescoes and the whole apartment is furnished with original period pieces. It has a convivial and romantic atmosphere, making it ideal for weddings, receptions, literary events and cultural presentations, as well as photo shoots. The Palazzo collaborates exclusively with trusted external catering and related services, but is also pleased to welcome new collaborators. When renting the ‘piano nobile’ floor of the Palazzo for either your stay or for events, you have exclusive use of the entire apartment, including all its private and functional spaces.

Upon arriving at the first floor via the lift, the elegant entrance hall leads into a spacious living room with a view of the Medici Chapels. A beautiful, entirely frescoed gallery, which serves as a sitting room, opens onto a comfortable dining room that can seat 30-40 people. There is a charming sizable bedroom with an alcove, en-suite bathroom and an antechamber arranged as a living room to welcome those staying at the Palazzo. The wide, modern kitchen, equipped with three separate cooking stations, occupies a linear space of over six metres and also has a practical separate working area. The property is equipped with another handy bathroom with a bathtub, and provides Wi-Fi, independent air conditioning and heating and a large television with a full Sky subscription. It is possible, on request, to organise cooking classes and wine tasting.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE VICINITY

Historical residence Palazzo Aldobrandini del Papa is located in the heart of the historic centre in the San Lorenzo district, in front of the Medici Chapels. Piazza del Duomo is just 2 minutes away, as is the Opera del Duomo Museum, from where all the other major places of interest such as Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti are within easy reach. The Santa Maria Novella railway station is less than a 5-minute walk away and is next to the ancient Basilica from which it takes its name.