Palazzo Aldobrandini was built during the first half of the 14th 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 19th 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.

One enters the apartment through a pretty vestibule decorated with prints. This leads into the spacious dining/living room with its large window overlooking the Antinori Palace gardens. This room has parquet flooring and elegant furnishings to give a sense of warmth and the atmosphere of a private home. There is a large sofa, two armchairs several extra chairs and a round dining table to one side of the room. A spacious doorway leads into the master-bedroom which shares the same view as the sitting-room. A niche in the wall hosts a delightful trompe l’oeil simulating a balcony and a view over countryside. Once again the furnishings are elegant and decorative. A large wardrobe occupies one side of the room. The room has an en-suite bathroom with tub and hand shower, in a pretty shade of pink. To the other side of the sitting room is the other twin bedroom furnished in a pretty paisley pattern with a originally decorative wardrobe and its own elegant en-suite bathroom, also with tub and hand-shower. A small door leads from the bathroom into a very spacious closet. The kitchen is pleasant, spacious and fully equipped. The apartment has an armored door, independent heating, air-conditioning, satellite TV, telephone (& hi speed connection) and buzzer, dishwasher, gas-stove, oven, fridge and a washing machine and comes supplied with two complete sets of linen. The apartment is served by a lift.