The past

Before 1568: Roots in humanism and the sculpture garden The site upon which the palace stands boasts a profound connection to Florentine humanism. Gifted in the 15th century by Lorenzo the Magnificent to his wife Clarice Orsini, it later passed to Ottaviano de' Medici. Ottaviano transformed the grounds into a magnificent garden of ancient sculptures and an informal academy for young artists, adjacent to the Orti Medicei where Michelangelo himself famously trained. This extraordinary legacy of patronage and creativity ideally connects the history of the Medici family with the mission of today's European University Institute (EUI).
1568 - 1574: The Medici laboratory and Mannerist architecture Commissioned by Grand Duke Francesco I de' Medici and designed by the visionary architect Bernardo Buontalenti, the Casino Mediceo is a unique example of Mannerist expression in Florentine architecture. It was explicitly conceived as a laboratory for arts and manufacturing. Within its walls, artisans worked with metals, conducted alchemical experiments, and produced the renowned Medici porcelain, destined for courts across Europe. The building also maintained a strong artistic laboratory function, hosting the early activities of what would later become the famous Opificio delle Pietre Dure.
Early 17th century: The noble residence and the grand frescoes The building subsequently passed to Cardinal Carlo de' Medici, who transformed it into a luxurious aristocratic residence. Between 1621 and 1623, to solidify his political standing, the Cardinal commissioned a grandiose cycle of frescoes celebrating the Medici Grand Dukes. This masterpiece—painted by distinguished artists such as Ottavio Vannini and Matteo Rosselli—is considered second only to that of Palazzo Vecchio. Among the vivid historical scenes, the frescoes prominently feature the departure of ships from Livorno bound for Ukraine to bring wheat back to Florence, a vital effort to counter the severe famines of the era.
1737 - 1846: The Lorraine era and military use Under the Lorraine dynasty, particularly during the reign of Pietro Leopoldo, the palace's function shifted dramatically as it became the headquarters of the Noble Guard. The building underwent heavy structural modifications to accommodate military needs, housing troops and extensive stables.
1846 - 1865: The Florence custom house The complex was later converted into the city's custom house (Dogana). New structures and warehouses were erected, and a huge, imposing gate was constructed on Via Cavour around 1850 to facilitate access. The historic gardens were almost entirely destroyed during this period, save for a celebrated rose garden that survived for a brief time.
1865 - 1871: Capital of Italy and Ministry of Finance When Florence became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, the building officially adopted the name Palazzo Buontalenti and served as the provisional Ministry of Finance. Architect Giuseppe Poggi spearheaded significant urban and structural transformations, partitioning the grand halls into smaller administrative offices and altering the building's facades to suit its new institutional role.
Late 19th century - 2012: The judicial era Following the capital's relocation to Rome, the palace housed the State Property Offices and, subsequently, the Court of Appeal and the Court of Assize. The magnificent frescoed rooms commissioned by Cardinal Carlo were meticulously preserved, serving for decades as impressive chambers for judges and jurors until the judicial offices finally relocated to the Novoli district in 2012.
2018: A new academic chapter On 19 October 2018, the Italian Government signed a landmark agreement with the European University Institute (EUI), allocating part of the complex to the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG). This significant decision has successfully restored Palazzo Buontalenti to its original cultural and international function, bringing the fascinating cycle of its history full circle.
2026: OPEN. For the 50th anniversary of the EUI, the exhibition OPEN opened the palazzo and its garden to the city, welcoming almost 7,000 visitors.

Page last updated on 02/11/2026