The Lions of Florence

The exhibition The Lions of Florence, taking place from 27 October 2026 to 18 January 2027 in the Sala dei Gigli at Palazzo Vecchio, explores the historical, artistic and political significance of the lion as a symbol of the city’s identity. As the emblem of the Florentine Republic, the Marzocco represents sovereignty, freedom and civic dignity.

Through sculptures, paintings, manuscripts and historical documents, the exhibition traces the spread of the image of the lion from the Roman era to the modern age. The exhibition extends beyond the main venue to include other rooms of Palazzo Vecchio, the National Museum of the Bargello, home to Donatello’s celebrated Marzocco, and the Stefano Bardini Museum.

Promoted by the Municipality of Florence – Florentine Civic Museums and organised by Fondazione MUS.E, the exhibition is curated by Carlo Francini and Valentina Zucchi, in collaboration with the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence and the Bargello Museums.

Thanks to an agreement between the participating museums, holders of full-price admission tickets to the respective venues will be entitled to discounted admission rates for their visits.

The exhibition programme is complemented by guided tours for children and adults, held every Sunday upon reservation, as well as a series of in-depth talks and lectures. Participation in the talks is free of charge, although museum admission is not included.

For further information, please visit the MUS.E Firenze website.