After an extensive three-year restoration project, the Wardrobe of the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio—commonly known as the Map Room—has been fully restored, bringing new life to one of Florence’s most visited museum spaces. The project involved the conservation of a vast terrestrial globe and 53 maps depicting the world as understood in the late 16th century, originally commissioned by Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici.
The restoration, led by Palazzo Vecchio’s Servizio Belle Arti e Fabbrica under the Direzione Servizi Tecnici in collaboration with the Direzione Cultura’s Servizio Musei, was a complex operation. Structural improvements included reinforcing the flooring, refurbishing the room’s monumental walnut cabinets, installing modern anti-glare protective panels, and implementing a domotic lighting system. The 13 cabinets, crafted by Dionigi di Matteo Nigetti, now gleam once more with their carved decorative motifs intact.
Most of the work was conducted on-site, allowing visitors to observe the restorers as they painstakingly revived the historical details of the room. A crucial component of the project was the restoration of the maps, which had suffered from centuries of exposure, earlier restoration attempts, and discoloration. The 53 surviving maps—30 by Fra’ Egnazio Danti and the remainder by Dom Stefano Bonsignori—display distinct artistic styles, with Danti’s work reflecting the precision of illuminated manuscripts and Bonsignori’s maps showcasing vibrant oil-based colors.
Their restoration was carried out in the adjacent Old Chancellery, where each panel was carefully removed from the cabinet doors, treated, and reinstalled. While the wooden supports remained in relatively good condition, the maps exhibited various signs of deterioration. The oceanic sections of Bonsignori’s maps, in particular, had suffered pigment loss. Additionally, aggressive cleaning and overpainting from previous restorations had obscured many details. To address this, conservators selectively thinned or removed old restoration materials, revealing the original color palette. The seas in Danti’s maps regained their rich lapis lazuli blue, and Bonsignori’s landscapes were restored to their original tonal brilliance.
Detail of terrestrial globe by Egnazio Danti and Antonio Lupicini. Photo courtesy of Comune di Firenze
The room’s centerpiece, the enormous terrestrial globe measuring 220 cm in diameter, also underwent a significant transformation. Initially created between 1564 and 1569 by Fra’ Danti and architect Antonio Lupicini, the globe had been reconstructed multiple times over the centuries, most notably in the early 17th century by Matteo Neroni. The latest restoration revealed that the globe standing in the Map Room today is not Danti’s original but a later reconstruction incorporating elements from Neroni’s 1605–1613 version.
Due to its size and fragility, the globe was restored in situ, allowing the public to witness the intricate conservation work. The process involved removing layers of old varnish and 19th-century oil-based retouching, which had darkened over time. Underneath, conservators uncovered a stunning palette—seas painted with lapis lazuli, golden inscriptions, ochre and malachite landmasses, and cinnabar red markers for cities and islands. The iron structure supporting the globe was also dismantled, cleaned, and reassembled, confirming that many of its original components remained intact despite centuries of modifications.
Beyond the physical restoration, the project embraced digital innovation. The Museo Galileo developed an interactive 3D digital model of the Map Room, allowing users to explore the space virtually. The website provides high-resolution views of the maps and globe, enabling visitors to rotate and zoom in on intricate details. The online platform also includes educational videos featuring key historical figures behind the room’s creation, including Grand Duke Cosimo I, Giorgio Vasari, and Fra’ Danti.
Palazzo Vecchio Maps Room website by Museo Galileo. Image courtesy of Museo Galileo
Florence Mayor Sara Funaro praised the project, stating, “The Map Room, a valuable part of the Palazzo Vecchio museum, has been restored to its former glory. This room of immense historical importance has been the object of a complex and meticulous operation thanks to the unflagging involvement of Palazzo Vecchio’s Servizio Belle Arti e Fabbrica. The superb globe in the center of the room, one of the oldest in the world, has also recovered its original beauty. And it is now going to be possible, quite literally, for users to immerse themselves in this unique environment thanks to the innovative technology developed by the Museo Galileo.”
Councilor for Cultural Affairs Giovanni Bettarini highlighted the importance of the room’s restoration, stating, “This is one of the best-loved parts of our museum and now, after its restoration, it is even more beautiful. Thanks to the generosity of Friends of Florence, this room is once again a treasure house of beauty and knowledge that illustrates for us how the world was known back in the days of Grand Duke Cosimo I.”
The restoration was made possible through funding from Friends of Florence, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the city’s cultural heritage. “The Palazzo Vecchio Wardrobe study and restoration program has been a fascinating undertaking that has brought art, history, and geography together in a single project,” said Friends of Florence President Simonetta Brandolini d’Adda. “After three years’ work, the result is truly extraordinary.”
Detail of geographical maps by Egnazio Danti and Stefano Bonsignori with walnut cabinets by Dionigi di Matteo Nigetti. Photo courtesy of Comune di Firenze
The Map Room was originally conceived by Cosimo I de’ Medici in the 16th century as a space to showcase “all the things of heaven and earth,” featuring maps designed by cosmographers Fra’ Egnazio Danti and Dom Stefano Bonsignori. The large terrestrial globe at the center of the room, believed to be the world’s earliest surviving large-scale model of Earth, has undergone significant restoration to reveal its original vivid colors and intricate details.
With both the physical and digital restoration efforts completed, the renewed space offers an immersive experience for visitors, blending Renaissance artistry with cutting-edge technology. An illustrated publication documenting the restoration will be released in 2025, further ensuring that the historical significance of this remarkable room continues to be shared with a global audience.
Top Image: “Sala della Guardaroba” (Wardrobe Room, or commonly known as the Map Room), 16th century, Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy, after 2021-24 restoration with support from Friends of Florence. Terrestrial globe and geographical maps by Egnazio Danti and Stefano Bonsignori with walnut cabinets by Dionigi di Matteo. Photo courtesy of Comune di Firenze
After an extensive three-year restoration project, the Wardrobe of the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio—commonly known as the Map Room—has been fully restored, bringing new life to one of Florence’s most visited museum spaces. The project involved the conservation of a vast terrestrial globe and 53 maps depicting the world as understood in the late 16th century, originally commissioned by Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici.
The restoration, led by Palazzo Vecchio’s Servizio Belle Arti e Fabbrica under the Direzione Servizi Tecnici in collaboration with the Direzione Cultura’s Servizio Musei, was a complex operation. Structural improvements included reinforcing the flooring, refurbishing the room’s monumental walnut cabinets, installing modern anti-glare protective panels, and implementing a domotic lighting system. The 13 cabinets, crafted by Dionigi di Matteo Nigetti, now gleam once more with their carved decorative motifs intact.
Most of the work was conducted on-site, allowing visitors to observe the restorers as they painstakingly revived the historical details of the room. A crucial component of the project was the restoration of the maps, which had suffered from centuries of exposure, earlier restoration attempts, and discoloration. The 53 surviving maps—30 by Fra’ Egnazio Danti and the remainder by Dom Stefano Bonsignori—display distinct artistic styles, with Danti’s work reflecting the precision of illuminated manuscripts and Bonsignori’s maps showcasing vibrant oil-based colors.
Their restoration was carried out in the adjacent Old Chancellery, where each panel was carefully removed from the cabinet doors, treated, and reinstalled. While the wooden supports remained in relatively good condition, the maps exhibited various signs of deterioration. The oceanic sections of Bonsignori’s maps, in particular, had suffered pigment loss. Additionally, aggressive cleaning and overpainting from previous restorations had obscured many details. To address this, conservators selectively thinned or removed old restoration materials, revealing the original color palette. The seas in Danti’s maps regained their rich lapis lazuli blue, and Bonsignori’s landscapes were restored to their original tonal brilliance.
The room’s centerpiece, the enormous terrestrial globe measuring 220 cm in diameter, also underwent a significant transformation. Initially created between 1564 and 1569 by Fra’ Danti and architect Antonio Lupicini, the globe had been reconstructed multiple times over the centuries, most notably in the early 17th century by Matteo Neroni. The latest restoration revealed that the globe standing in the Map Room today is not Danti’s original but a later reconstruction incorporating elements from Neroni’s 1605–1613 version.
Due to its size and fragility, the globe was restored in situ, allowing the public to witness the intricate conservation work. The process involved removing layers of old varnish and 19th-century oil-based retouching, which had darkened over time. Underneath, conservators uncovered a stunning palette—seas painted with lapis lazuli, golden inscriptions, ochre and malachite landmasses, and cinnabar red markers for cities and islands. The iron structure supporting the globe was also dismantled, cleaned, and reassembled, confirming that many of its original components remained intact despite centuries of modifications.
Beyond the physical restoration, the project embraced digital innovation. The Museo Galileo developed an interactive 3D digital model of the Map Room, allowing users to explore the space virtually. The website provides high-resolution views of the maps and globe, enabling visitors to rotate and zoom in on intricate details. The online platform also includes educational videos featuring key historical figures behind the room’s creation, including Grand Duke Cosimo I, Giorgio Vasari, and Fra’ Danti.
Florence Mayor Sara Funaro praised the project, stating, “The Map Room, a valuable part of the Palazzo Vecchio museum, has been restored to its former glory. This room of immense historical importance has been the object of a complex and meticulous operation thanks to the unflagging involvement of Palazzo Vecchio’s Servizio Belle Arti e Fabbrica. The superb globe in the center of the room, one of the oldest in the world, has also recovered its original beauty. And it is now going to be possible, quite literally, for users to immerse themselves in this unique environment thanks to the innovative technology developed by the Museo Galileo.”
Councilor for Cultural Affairs Giovanni Bettarini highlighted the importance of the room’s restoration, stating, “This is one of the best-loved parts of our museum and now, after its restoration, it is even more beautiful. Thanks to the generosity of Friends of Florence, this room is once again a treasure house of beauty and knowledge that illustrates for us how the world was known back in the days of Grand Duke Cosimo I.”
The restoration was made possible through funding from Friends of Florence, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the city’s cultural heritage. “The Palazzo Vecchio Wardrobe study and restoration program has been a fascinating undertaking that has brought art, history, and geography together in a single project,” said Friends of Florence President Simonetta Brandolini d’Adda. “After three years’ work, the result is truly extraordinary.”
The Map Room was originally conceived by Cosimo I de’ Medici in the 16th century as a space to showcase “all the things of heaven and earth,” featuring maps designed by cosmographers Fra’ Egnazio Danti and Dom Stefano Bonsignori. The large terrestrial globe at the center of the room, believed to be the world’s earliest surviving large-scale model of Earth, has undergone significant restoration to reveal its original vivid colors and intricate details.
With both the physical and digital restoration efforts completed, the renewed space offers an immersive experience for visitors, blending Renaissance artistry with cutting-edge technology. An illustrated publication documenting the restoration will be released in 2025, further ensuring that the historical significance of this remarkable room continues to be shared with a global audience.
Top Image: “Sala della Guardaroba” (Wardrobe Room, or commonly known as the Map Room), 16th century, Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy, after 2021-24 restoration with support from Friends of Florence. Terrestrial globe and geographical maps by Egnazio Danti and Stefano Bonsignori with walnut cabinets by Dionigi di Matteo. Photo courtesy of Comune di Firenze
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