A tale of two cities

[Photo/China Daily]

Under the sun that blazes over the Piazza della Signoria, wandering visitors can refresh with whipped ice cream, a cappuccino and a rest, followed by another session of soaking up history and art, and continuing to explore the beauty of Florence's historical, political and emotional heart.

The most prominent feature of the piazza is Florence's town hall, the Palazzo Vecchio－also known as Palazzo della Signoria. It was built in the early 13th century on the site of a first-century Roman theater.

Facing the town hall is the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery, the highlight of the square. It hosted all public ceremonies of the ancient republican government. It's a different kind of public gathering place today.

As if the sculptures in the Loggia are not eye-catching enough－they include Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus With the Head of Medusa (1554), Giambologna's The Rape of the Sabine Women and Bartolommeo Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus (1533)－the Loggia's architecture, with its expansive arches, is itself a superb piece of art.

Several other celebrated works adorn the Piazza della Signoria. Next to the town hall's door is a copy of Michelangelo's David. The original stood there from 1504 to 1873.

Another landmark by the town hall is Bartolomeo Ammannati's Fountain of Neptune (1575).