Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany

The equestrian statue, situated in the centre of the Signoria Square, represents Cosimo I de' Medici and was made by Giambologna in 1594.

The fiercely proud Florentine nobleman astride his powerful steed gives an impression of the utmost composure. The bas-reliefs of the pedestal celebrate the chief events in the life of the first Grand Duke of Tuscany: the Entry of Cosimo I in Siena, Pius V giving the grand-ducal insignia to Cosimo and the Tuscan Senate giving Cosimo the title of Duke of Florence.

The statue is situated not far from the Palazzo Vecchio, where Cosimo I went to live in 1537, when he was eighteen, just after the death of Alessandro, murdered by Lorenzino de' Medici. Before him, the Medici family had ruled Florence for a long time, ever since they had taken part in the struggle between the Guilds and the common people, siding with the latter.