| The building's original structure dates back to the 15 th century, when a myriad of little cobbled roads branched off from the Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno, one of the city's most charming and typical quarters. The Arno's banks were flanked by buildings belonging to wealthy aristocratic families (e.g. the Bardi family) – for this reason their residences were known as palazzi .
Palazzo Bardi was modified until the mid 19 th century when an architect called Enrico Poggi was asked to draw up an architectural and landscape plan to turn Florence into a capital city (a role which it maintained for five years, between 1865 and 1870, following Italy's unification in 1860). Poggi wanted to give Florence a look of uniformity and subdued elegance without creating a violent contrast with its Renaissance architecture. He therefore decided to maintain the Renaissance colour palette of cream plaster and grey pietra serena stone, which is visible in so many buildings throughout the city.
Lungarno Torrigiani was included in Poggi's plan and it is easy to see how he drew inspiration from the more ancient buildings on the river's opposite side. The lungarni together with the viali leading up to the Piazzale Michelangelo were meant to be a place where Florentines could enjoy afternoon strolls and socialize in the open air.
DETAILS AND TECHNICALITIES
One enters the apartment through a delightful hallway, which contains a spacious built-in closet with plenty of storage space. The living-dining room is spacious and luminous. The view from the window includes the Ponte Vecchio, the Loggiato degli Uffizi and the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio. On one side of the room a table provides a dining area for six. The parquet flooring, the elegant upholstery in reds and blues, the pictures on the walls and the refined details of the room give an air of warm, cosy luxury.
There is a twin bedroom which is decorated in luscious, bright blues and reds and furnished with an antique chest of drawers, a wardrobe, a side table and chairs. The view from this room overlooks the River and the Loggiato degli Uffizi. Opposite the living room , a pretty bedroom with twin beds faces south and overlooks the Via de' Bardi. It has an en-suite bathroom with shower.
Across the landing, is the master bedroom decorated in an attractive red and white print. The flooring is in beautiful nineteenth century tiles. The window looks out over the same dramatic view as the living room. A painted cupboard provides ample hanging space. The last door to the right cleverly conceals a delightful pink and white en-suite bathroom with shower.
There is a fully equipped modern kitchen, white and blue, which provides ample work space and a small table for breakfast. The apartment has a third bathroom with bathtub and hand held shower.
The apartment has an armored door, central heating, air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone (hi speed internet) and buzzer, gas stove , oven, dishwasher and washing machine and comes supplied with two sets of linens and towels. There is an elevator and day-time concierge service. |
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