his
imposing edifice, one of the most important in Florence, was commissioned
by Jacopo de' Pazzi and built to the design of Giuliano da Maiano
in the period between 1458-1469. In erecting the building he had
a careful eye for harmony and decoration, as can be seen from the
characteristic courtyard formed by arches with columns adorned with
dolphins (the symbol of the Pazzi family) and vases for the sacred
fire, in memory of Pazzino de' Pazzi who during the first Crusade
was the first man to scale the walls of Jerusalem. He brought back
with him from Jerusalem the sacred flint stones which for centuries
have been used in Piazza del Duomo to light the fuse for the Scoppio
del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) ritual on Easter Day.
Also of great interest are the beautiful plant-shoot decorations
carved on the cornices of the external windows of the palace. Other
decorative elements with depictions of sailing vessels were also
carved as a reminder of the importance of the maritime commerce
conducted by the Pazzi family.
The famous conspiracy (congiura) to kill
Lorenzo the Magnificent was
organised in this palace by the Pazzi family in 1478, in which,
however, it was Lorenzo's brother Giuliano who died. Lorenzo's response
was extremely harsh - after the ringleader Giuliano de' Pazzi had
been killed by popular demand, all the members of the family were
exiled and their property and goods confiscated.
Over the centuries this palace has been the property of a number
of different families (including the Strozzi) and illustrious figures.
It now house offices of the state pensions and benefits department
(INPS). It is possible to visit the palace on formal request to
the Florence management of the INPS.
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