Full text: Bacciotti, Emilio: Bacciotti's Handbook of Florence and its environs, or the stranger conducted through its principal monuments, studios, churches, palaces, galleries, streets and shops

19 
subduing Cacus by Baccio Bandinelli, erected here in 
1546. — Observe to your right the. 
Loggia dei Lanzi. — So named from a guard 
of Swiss Lancers, who were placed there when in at- 
tendance on the Grand Duke Cosimo I. (1) — It is the 
work of Orgagna and frequently is termed also the 
« Loggia dell'Orgagna » It was erected in 1355 accor- 
ding to some, and according to others, it was begun 
in 1375, that is, after the death of Orgagna who left 
the design of it — This Loggia can justly be regarded 
as one of the noblest and most celebrated specimens 
of the transition architecture: it is so perfect. — Its 
construction belongs to Andrea di Cione. Orgagna, 
and consists of three circular arches, supported by 
angular pillars with capitals, approaching to the Co¬ 
rinthian, with a balaustrade above. The amplitude of 
the arches and the fine proportions of this building are 
truly a noble specimen of Gothic-Tuscan architecture. 
— When Michelangiolo was consulted by Cosimo I 
upon tha best mode ef improving the piazza, he answe- 
red: that the best ornament would be to continue the 
Loggia all around, but as the work had already 
cost 80,000 gold florins, the., duke was somewhat 
discouraged by the expense — This Loggia is filled with 
some of the finest sculptures in the World, and pree¬ 
minent amongst these is the. 
Perseus holding the head Medusa in his left hand 
(1) Cosimo 1" after assuming the sovereign authority, raised, 
as well for State, as for protection against the Florentines, a body 
of German or Swiss Landsknechts, or as the ltalians call them 
« Lanzi » under the command of Balthasar Fuggler, who, ha¬ 
ving one of their guardhouses near the Loggia, gave it the name 
by which it is known.
	        
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