The palace arose at the site which once held the residence of the Soldanieri and later Dati families, which was bought by Bartolomeo Bartolini-Salimbeni. The current edifice was erected by the architect Baccio d'Agnolo between 27 February 1520 and May 1523, as testified by a diary kept by Bartolini. The architect was paid two florins per month. The structure represents one of the earliest buildings in Florence expressing the High Renaissance style of Rome, where Baccio had spent several formative years. Another palace partially designed by Baccio is the Palazzo Antinori. The Bartolini-Salimbeni lived in the palace until the early 19th century. In 1839 it became the Hotel du Nord, where figures such as the American writer Herman Melville sojourned. In 1863 it was acquired by the Pio di Savoia princes and split between different owners. The palace was restored in 1961 and it is now a private property.
Description
Palazzo Bartolini Salimbeni is the first palace in Florence built according to the "Roman" Renaissance style: details new to the city included the portal with columns at the sides, the use of pilasters, the square windows with a triangular pediment and the corners with rustication. The singular new style, according to the Renaissance art historian Giorgio Vasari, caused much criticism. Though a generation later Vasari praised it as gentile di membra, "noble in its detail", in response to contemporary Florentine criticisms Baccio had the Latin inscription set over the door Carpere promptius quam imitari, ""Criticizing is easier than imitating". The windows bear another inscription, in Italian, Per non dormire, the motto of the Salimbeni family that is also recalled by the Bartolini-Salimbeni coat of arms in the frieze at the first floor, featuring three poppies. The palace has a central court in pure Classical style. It has a portico on three sides, with columns and round arches in traditional pietra serena. The ground and first floors have grotesque monochrome decorations. The first floor has a loggia with a coffered ceiling. This is surmounted by another smaller loggia.
