Loggia Lanzi
The Lanzi loggia, which is sometimes called the Loggia of Orcagna or Signoria, differs from the usual loggias located in modern residential buildings and architectural monuments. The arched structure, which appeared in Florence in the 14th century, is completely located on the ground. It is believed that this gallery became the ancestor of all other loggias, which appeared in a wide range throughout Europe.
History
The Lanzi Loggia was built for mercenary soldiers, landsknechts, who defended the Grand Duke Cosimo de' Medici. While the ruler was engaged in important state affairs, the soldiers could hide from the scorching sun or rain under the roof of the open gallery facing the Vecchio Palace. Unlike most buildings of that time, the Lanzi Loggia got its name not from the name of the customer or architect, but from the abbreviated word landsknecht: Italians, apparently, found it as difficult to pronounce this term as modern people, so they shortened it a little. According to another version, the building got its name from the name of the duke's main bodyguard. A little later, the loggia played the role of dividing the ordinary people and honorary citizens of Florence during various ceremonies, holidays and public gatherings.
And a few more years later (after the construction of the Uffizi Gallery), the roof of the gallery turned into a pretty terrace from which members of the ruling family could watch all the events that took place in the Piazza del Signoria, for which the gallery received its third name. Today, the Lanzi Loggia has become an open-air museum, providing everyone with the opportunity to view sculptures created during Antiquity and the Renaissance.
Description
The Lanzi Loggia differs from the slightly gloomy Palazzo Vecchio in its "lively" and open appearance. Built in the late Gothic style, it impresses with its light proportions, graceful columns and sculptures. The first of them (Judith) appeared here as a sign of the expulsion of the Medici family, who ruled the city for more than 150 years. The figure is located here for a reason, it was this woman who beheaded the commander Holofernes, who captured the heroine's homeland. The townspeople liked the allegory, and the sculpture began to represent the end of the Medici rule. But the Medici themselves were not going to give up, and soon returned to their places.
They liked the idea of setting up an outdoor museum, and within a short period of time, the indoor gallery became the owner of a sculpture of Perseus beheading the Gorgon Medusa. And this choice was also not made by chance: in this way, the Medici warned all the dissatisfied. Today, there are 15 sculptures in the Lanzi Loggia, but only two of them are authentic. All the others are beautifully executed copies. The Medici family coats of arms are still on the steps of the Loggia, and there is an inscription on the wall indicating a change in the calendar. The entrance is decorated with two stone lions. At the same time, one of them has already turned 2000 years old, and the second lion is barely reaching his 500th birthday.
