Palazzo Aldobrandini was built during the first half of the 14 th century, at a time when the city of Florence began to expand beyond the boundaries of its ancient Roman nucleus. Messer Lapo, a member of the wealthy Aldobrandini family (that had made their fortune through the commerce of spices), commissioned it.
Via delle Belle Donne was then an important commercial road which connected the Mercato Vecchio (the market square) and Via Strozzi to the Porta del Trebbio, the city door that led out towards the north. Although the Aldobrandini family was extremely wealthy, their fortunes were still greatly tied to trade and so it made sense to choose this particular location.
With the opening of the new Ponte Santa Trinita bridge, several important palaces were built on the bridge’s continuation (now the Via Tornabuoni). Via Tornabuoni steadily gained importance and eventually Via delle Belle Donne became a side street. In the 19 th century, Palazzo Aldobrandini housed many painters’ workshops which is probably why most of the flats have very large windows – the celebrated painter Ingres had his studio in one of the apartments.
Access to the apartment is via two flights of medieval stone steps on the Vicolo degli Antinori, a pictoresque side-street, off the Via Tornabuoni.
This studio-flat, ideal for a student or someone who spends a lot of time outside the house, is made up of one room overlooking an inner courtyard, it is peaceful and quiet. There is a yellow large sofa, which turns into a double bed, a spacious hand painted cupboard decorated with prints of fruits and flowers, a work table and chairs. A sliding door cleverly conceals the kitchenette, with a two-ring electric cooker, an oven, a small fridge and a sink.
There is a small bathroom with window and shower cabin. The apartment has an armoured door, air-conditioning, independent heating, satellite TV, telephone (Hi speed Internet), buzzer and comes complete with two sets of linen.