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.

The apartment measures approx 130 square meters and is located on the forth floor and top floor of Palazzo Aldobrandini (with elevator). Four stairs lead up to the front door of this apartment. From the front hall one may enter all the rooms. To the left is a spacious living/dining room with very high ceilings (approx 5/6 meters); to the right the kitchen and the master bedroom with double bed (that may be divided into two twins) and en-suite bathroom with tub and hand shower. There are built-in closets along one wall and a window onto Via delle Belle Donne. The second bedroom has a single bed with a trundle bed, built –in closets and a windows facing the street. The bathroom across the hall is with a shower stall. Up 11 steps is a loft area with a double sofa bed and a small built-in closet. It is elegantly furnished with a mixture of modern and antiques. There are ceilings with wood beams and terra cotta tiles. The floors are hardwood. The windows overlook the towers and roof tops of Florence. The apartment has an armoured door, indipendent heating, air-conditioning, telephone (hi speed internet), satellite TV and buzzer, gas stove, oven, dishwasher and washing machine, hair dryer and comes supplied with two sets of linen and towels. There is a lift.