Palazzo Medici Riccardi is a Renaissance palace in central Florence, a short walk from the Duomo. Commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici in the 1440s and designed by Michelozzo, its rusticated stone base, refined upper floors and projecting cornice established a model for later Florentine palaces. It was both the Medici family home and a centre of their political influence.
Under Lorenzo the Magnificent, the palace became a meeting place for artists and humanist thinkers. The Riccardi family bought it in 1659 and expanded it, adding an ornate gallery whose ceiling was painted by Luca Giordano. The building remains a working civic seat as well as a museum.
The highlight is the Chapel of the Magi, a small private chapel wrapped in Benozzo Gozzoli’s richly coloured frescoes from around 1459. Its procession of riders and courtiers includes figures thought to portray members of the Medici circle. Leave time for the arcaded courtyard and the Riccardi gallery, where Giordano’s exuberant ceiling offers a striking contrast to the palace’s restrained exterior.
Allow around an hour to visit, or longer if you want to linger over the frescoes and exhibitions. Chapel access may be limited, so consider booking ahead in busy periods and visiting earlier in the day. Check the official website for current opening days and ticket details before setting out.