Palazzo Spini Feroni

The bulk of Palazzo Spini Feroni dominates piazza Santa Trinita and its construction dates back to the end of the 13th century, possibly to a design by Lapo Tedesco.

It is a three-storey building, that has been altered several times, in smooth pietra forte topped by merlons, with arched windows. In 1824 the original tower and the so-called Arco dei Pizzicotti (Arch of the pinches), that overlooked the Arno river, were demolished. The latter was called this because it was a narrow and poorly lit passage, where boys amused themselves by harassing women who had the misfortune to go through it.

In 1865, when Florence became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, Palazzo Spini Feroni housed the Florence City Hall, given that the Government of the Kingdom was settled in Palazzo Vecchio. The building was only returned to its medieval appearance with restorations carried out at the end of the 19th century.

The building is owned by the Ferragamo maison, that has here its store and also the museum dedicated to the founder of the Salvatore Ferragamo fashion brand. Inside the museum, located in the basement of the palace, you can see the well of Beatrice, dedicated to Dante's Muse who, apparently, met the Supreme Poet right near the Santa Trinita bridge.