In 1299 the commune of Florence decided to build a more secure, defensible palace. Arnolfo di Cambio began it on the ruins of two older palaces. He built the tower, 308 feet (94 m) high, around the older Foraboschi tower, which is why it sits off-center. The facade is rusticated stone with two rows of two-light Gothic windows, crenellated battlements and nine painted coats of arms.
Cosimo I moved his seat here in May 1540, and it was renamed Palazzo Vecchio after he left for Palazzo Pitti. Giorgio Vasari enlarged the Salone dei Cinquecento, built the stairs and decorated the hall in 1555 to 1572. Simone del Pollaiolo built the hall in 1494 for Savonarola's Grand Council of 500, about 171 by 75 feet (52 by 23 m).
Michelangelo's David stood at the entrance from 1504 until 1873. Since 1872 the palace has housed the mayor's office and City Council, and most of it is a museum.
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