The Medici Riccardi Palace in Italy, the resort of Florence
Rating: 9,2/10 (1743 votes)  Palazzo Medici-Riccardi is the first secular building of the early Renaissance in the city and also the palace of the Medici family. Nowadays, the palace houses the Riccadian Library. The facade of the building was divided into three tiers, which were made with different masonry. There is a cornice running along the top of the palace, protruding far ahead. The open loggia, located on the southeast side of the building, was covered with bricks, the walled arches were transformed into windows with tympanes. The facade of the first floor was made of unpolished and rough stone, times was supposed to symbolize stability. The ground floor housed stables, staff accommodation and a kitchen. The facade of the second floor was made of polished stone and was separated from the first by a cornice and a serrated frieze. On the corner of the facade you can see the Medici coat of arms. The second floor of the palace housed the representative premises and the living quarters of the owners. The patio is decorated with sculptures and lemon trees. Since the 15th century, courtyards have become an obligatory addition to all aristocratic palaces. In 1444, Cosimo Medici the Elder commissioned the planning of Michelozzo's palace. The new palazzo was supposed to highlight Casimo's position in the system of government. At the time, Casimo Medici was the most influential of the Florentine bankers. The palace was supposed to house both living quarters and the headquarters of the Medici Bank. The customer asked so that the palace does not differ from other buildings with unnecessary luxury, since it did not want to cause the envy of patrician families. Work on the construction of the palace lasted for 20 years. Today the palace houses the Chapel of the Magi, which became famous for its paintings. Palazzo Medici -Riccardi, along with other attractions in the historic center of Florence, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.   
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