The Palazzo Pitti: Planning and Use in the Grand-Ducal Era

The Palazzo Pitti was the center of courtly life in grand-ducal Florence. This study contributes to our knowledge of daily activity within this immense structure by examining the scattered but extensive sources for its later history. It focuses on a set of plans by G. M. Marmi indicating the major divisions between ceremonial and residential functions in the palace. The most important feature of its internal arrangement-the clustered plan for the family apartments, modelled on that of Giuliano da Sangallo for the villa at Poggio a Caiano-may be seen as a characteristic feature of contemporary Medicean residences. Records of official visits suggest that the Pitti's great size was due to diplomatic protocol, namely, the constant entertainment and housing of visitors to the Medicean court. In addition, a study of population statistics shows the Pitti's impact on the social composition of its surrounding area.