In one word, WOW! Although it only takes up a part of the Palazzo Pitti, the Galleria Palatina is massive and filled with rooms and rooms of artwork. The rooms are marvels in themselves, all of them decorated to the hilt. It's just mind-boggling how the Medici family managed to live in so much opulence. This sight is a definite must-see for anyone visiting Florence.

The Galleria Palatina is just one museum within the enormous Palazzo Pitti, on the other side of the Arno in Florence. It houses beautiful paintings in eye-popping settings. The gallery is part of the former Medici residence, also home to Italian royalty of the 19th century, and the decor reflects this former opulence. Entrance is 12,000 lire/person ($6) and tickets are sold until 5pm; the museum closes at 6:00.

The Sala de Saturne is famous for its Raphael's, but they have been moved to the last room because the Sala de Saturne's ceiling fresco is undergoing restoration. In fact, the order of the rooms was backwards from the layout in several of our guidebooks, but we soon figured it out. Galleria Palatina is a manageable-sized museum with much to recommend it. We were a bit pressed for time, but saw all of the rooms in 50 minutes. There are great Titians, dreamy Del Sartos, and luscious Caravaggios, especially his Sleeping Cupid.

You mustn't look down the whole time. The ceiling frescoes in the Sale Venere, Apollo, Marte, Giove, and Saturno are incredible designs by Pietro da Cortona. Don't miss Reni's painting of Cleopatra with her tiny asp in the Sala Apollo. One other room you mustn't miss: the Sala della Stufa, the "hot bath room," with its wall frescoes and tile floor. With bathrooms like these, who needs living rooms?

Average Rating: 9, Time to allot: 1.5 hours

The old wallpapers, tapestries, furniture, and paintings, combined with the slightly smaller rooms than are found in other palaces, give this palace a grand yet comfortable feel. You can actually imagine what it would have been like to live in one of the bedrooms or sit with important people in a meeting room. I especially remember the doorways, which were often arches topped by paintings or curtains. These rooms are some of the most colorful we saw – rich greens, corals, and golds and blues are everywhere.

The Medici aquired and enlarged this building, and it’s much more stunning than the Medici Palace. Although the Pitti Palace doesn’t quite compare to the Doge’s Palace in Venice, we all agreed that it was a top sight in Florence. From here, you can enter the Biboli Gardens and enjoy views of the city and countryside.

Ratings 1-10 (10 is "see this no matter what!" and 0 is "avoid it!")
Jason: 8, Mary 9, Mom 10