The political center of the city with the imposing Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall since 1294.
The piazza is considered an open air museum because of the many statues present commissioned by the Medici family in the Renaissance and carved by Donatello,Giambologna, Cellini and many others. Until 1864  there was also Michelangelo's David (today at the Accademia museum for safe keeping) and in the same place today stands a replica guarding the entrance of the palace and its precious courtyard.