The Loggia dei Lanzi
A stunning exhibition space housing amazing statues such as Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini
The Loggia de' Lanzi is an extraordinary space that houses sculptures of exceptional value, on view night and day, and always visible under the large arches of the Loggia on Piazza della Signoria.
Few people know, however, that this completely "free museum" belongs to the Uffizi Galleries.
Of all the sculptures housed, the bronze by Benvenuto Cellini has been set in an advanced position. His Perseus cutting off the head of Medusa was in fact a political manifesto too, here on display from the mid-16th century, which had to show citizens the good governance policy of Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici who had succeeded in "cutting off the head" of the infighting occurred during the previous Republican period, here represented by the snakes of the monster beheaded by Perseus.
