Lush gardens, sunlit courtyards, amd artistic treasures are hidden behind the glorious palazzi that line the streets and squares of Florence. Palazzi are buildings that were erected to house the magistracies and all of the government officials; the palazzi, therefore, were public 'Palaces of Florence' documents the public importance of the palazzi and bringsthe history of Florence to life. The book presents three remarkable periods of the palazzi in astonishing detail and exhibits the remarkable art, architecture, furnishings, gardens and estates of some of the greatestfamilies in Florentine history. A chapter on the Patrician residencies is included, as is a full bibliography and glorious full colour photographs.