Venues

Badia Fiesolana

The Badia Fiesolana is the European University Institute’s hub, opened in 1976.

Cosimo ‘the elder’, of the Medici political dynasty, funded the construction of the Badia complex, a building of vibrant history which has played host to everyone from incurables to an army. The adjacent 15th century church – which is still used for the annual EUI conferring ceremony and other events – stands on the site of the 11th century one and includes a marble façade from the 12th century of a style seen throughout Florence.

The Italian government offered the building as the home of the EUI and after extensive work the Badia was transformed into the space we see today.

Access information to the Badia Fiesolana can be found on the EUI website.

Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) is the city hall of Florence and it has been the symbol of the civic power of Florence for over seven centuries.

This vast, Romanesque fortress-palace is one of the most impressive town halls of Italy. Overlooking the Piazza della Signoria, with its copy of Michelangelo’s David statue and the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi, it is one of the most significant public places in the country.

The conference will take place in the extraordinary Salone dei Cinquecento (Room of the 500). It is adorned with beautiful paintings and a ceiling made up of 39 panels designed and painted by Vasari, representing scenes from the life of Cosimo I de’ Medici.