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.

This cosy studio apartment is an elegant and amusing mix of leopard-print fabrics, elegant painted furniture and bright coloured details. It is warm and ideal for a young couple or for a less young couple with a taste for originality! The main entrance leads straight into the bed/sit room with its polished parquet flooring. A round table by the large window serves as a dining table. There is a sofa that pulls out to become a double bed, and an arm-chair. A beautifully painted cupboard provides the wardrobe. An ochre-yellow cupboard decorated with prints of wildlife and painted with trompe l’oeil effects cleverly conceals the fully equipped kitchenette. To the left of the latter a short flight of steps leads up to the laundry and spacious closet. On the right-hand side of the kitchenette, the bathroom with a shower. The apartment has an armored door, independent heating, satellite TV, telephone and buzzer, electric-stove, oven, fridge and a washing machine and comes supplied with two complete sets of linen. The building is served by a lift and the apartment is on the first floor mezzanine.