Step into a world of aristocratic luxury and historical grandeur as the Duchess of Savoy’s apartment at Palazzo Pitti in Florence opens to the public. After extensive restoration work, this once private royal residence, which has housed queens, sovereigns, and princes from the 16th to the 20th century, is now accessible to all through guided tours.
This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the opulence and elegance of a bygone era, exploring rooms where history was made and royalty once resided. The apartment, located on the noble floor of the iconic Palazzo Pitti, gets its name from its last resident, Anna of France, widow of Duke Amedeo of Aosta. She lived here in luxury until the post-World War II era when the apartment was handed over to the Italian State.
Every Sunday from November onwards, visitors can tour this spectacular space through multiple time slots, discovering a world of fine details, historic artistry, and royal legacy.
Noble residence
From the 1500s to the 1900s, this part of the palace – overlooking the magnificent Boboli Gardens – was a private residence for grand dukes, kings, queens, and other royals.
It all began with Cosimo I de’ Medici and Eleonora di Toledo in the 16th century, who transformed the palace into a grand ducal residence. It was later home to Cosimo’s niece, Maria de’ Medici, who went on to become the Queen of France.
During the 1600s, it served as the residence of Ferdinando II and Vittoria della Rovere, where they gathered intellectuals and artists, including the Cardinal Leopoldo, founder of the Accademia del Cimento in 1657.
In the 18th century, the palace passed to the House of Lorraine and later to the House of Savoy, who gave the apartment its current name: the “Winter Quarter,” a space defined by distinctive architectural interventions that still shape its look today. Following the end of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, it became known as the “Apartment of His Majesty the King.”
Among the rooms open to the public are the Red Salon, with its wall coverings and carpet-sized rugs, featuring a 17th-century console table and a round table with carved and gilded woodwork; the Study, where an impressive bronze and carved wood chandelier takes center stage, along with a portrait of Umberto I painted by Eurisio Capocci; and the King’s Bedroom, which boasts a “canapé” bed, a monumental stove, and a 19th-century reproduction of Raphael’s “Madonna della Seggiola.”
The House of Savoy
The House of Savoy was a prominent European royal family that played a significant role in the history of Italy. Originating in the region of Savoy (now part of France), the House of Savoy became one of the most influential dynasties in Italy.
In Florence, the House of Savoy’s involvement began after the unification of Italy in the 19th century, which led to the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The House of Savoy became the ruling family of the newly unified Italian state, with Victor Emmanuel II as the first king of Italy. Florence was the capital of Italy from 1865 until 1871, before it was replaced by Rome.
In terms of architecture, Palazzo Pitti in Florence became one of the most important residences for the House of Savoy. After the unification of Italy, the palace became the residence of the royal family, and it was during this period that the apartment of the Duchess of Savoy was created. The Savoy family also made significant renovations to the palace to reflect their royal status.
So, the House of Savoy’s presence in Florence marked a pivotal period in the city’s history, connecting the former Medici-ruled Florence to the new, unified Italy under the Savoy monarchy. The family’s legacy in Florence is still visible in several sites and institutions, including the royal apartments in Palazzo Pitti, which now you can visit.