The Medici Map Room

The Map Room in the Palazzo Vecchio is a masterpiece of Renaissance art and science, containing an extraordinary collection of painted maps meticulously rendered on the wooden panels that adorn the room's massive cabinetry. These maps, paired with a grand terrestrial globe, symbolize the Medici family's central role in the world during the late Renaissance. More than a space for quiet contemplation, the Sala delle Carte Geografiche (Hall of Geographical Maps) served as a dramatic showcase of Renaissance ambition and the Medici dynasty’s far-reaching influence, both locally and globally.

Commissioned in the 16th century by Duke Cosimo I de' Medici, the Map Room embodies the era's expanding worldview and fascination with exploration. The 50 maps, painted by the renowned artists Egnazio Danti and Stefano Bonsignori, represent a comprehensive vision of the known world. Each map is not only a testament to cartographic skill but also a reflection of the Medici's political and cultural dominance, positioning them as global patrons of knowledge and power. The room’s cabinetry, designed to house the family’s vast collection of precious objects, manuscripts, and curiosities, further underscores their legacy as champions of science and art.

Today, the wonders of the Sala delle Carte Geografiche are accessible to a global audience through the Museum Galileo’s 3D interactive tour of the Palazzo Vecchio. This innovative digital experience allows users to explore the room from the comfort of their own homes. With a few clicks of a mouse and keyboard, visitors can pan through the room and examine the intricate details of the maps as if standing within the space itself. By selecting any of the numbered labels superimposed on the 50 painted maps, users can access detailed information about the regions depicted, and even view each map as an interactive, full-screen display.