This historic palace in Piazza Santa Croce contains totally up-to-date apartments in central Florence, Italy. Not only are the furnishings luxurious, the views over the piazza to the handsome medieval church are breathtaking. Each apartment features its own historic atmosphere with Renaissance murals, family heirloom antiques, and talented decorating. Many guests spend the season here, returning year after year.

Conveniently located in the heart of the historical center of Florence, in Piazza Santa Croce, the palazzo is a landmark Renaissance Palazzo, and one of the few left in the historic center of Florence with a dramatic frescoed facade.

Many people passing through Piazza Santa Croce notice Giovanni di Ser Giovanni's 1620 frescoes on the overhanging facade this handsome building, but few realize they can actually stay here. The 16th-century palazzo is owned by the gracious Contessa Piccolomini, who rents out truly spacious apartments to anyone who has ever dreamed of lying in bed near a roaring fire under a 17th-century frescoed ceiling or sipping tea in a living room surrounded by trompe d'oeil Roman ruins with a 16th-century wood ceiling above.

On the fourth floor (American designation) with elevator up 20 steps from main entrance.

Elegant living/dining room with pull-out sofa bed for two and French door leading to terrace. Sunny terrace with southern exposure, overlooking the large inner courtyard and rooftops.

Fully equipped kitchen.

Master bedroom with queen size bed, second bedroom with twin beds that can be made into a queen, en suite bathroom with shower, toilet, sink and bidet. Window overlooks small inner courtyard.

Second bathroom with shower over tub, toilet, sink and bidet.

Independent heating and central air-conditioning.

Facilities: Dishwasher, washer, dryer, microwave oven, toaster. American coffee maker, satellite TV, stereo hi-fi, CD and DVD players, telephone, high speed internet, answering machine, fax machine, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Use of Palazzo private gym that has weights, a crosstrainer, treadmill, elliptical and step.