Commissioned by the wealthy merchant Filippo Strozzi the Elder, the construction of Palazzo Strozzi began in 1489, based on a design by Benedetto da Maiano (according to some sources, using a wooden model created by Giuliano da Sangallo). The work was later directed by Simone del Pollaiolo, known as ‘Il Cronaca’, who designed the courtyard and the cornice, ultimately bringing the project to completion. Situated near the old Mercato Vecchio, later demolished, the palace gave rise to the curious nickname of the square in front of it, which the common people christened ‘Onion Square.’

The story goes that among the many merchants and craftsmen who occupied the square, one figure stood out: Niccolò Grosso, a highly skilled blacksmith known to the Florentines by the nickname ‘Il Caparra’ (The deposit) because of his habit of never starting any work without first receiving a substantial deposit. It is said that Filippo Strozzi noticed his talent and recognized in him the ideal craftsman to create the refined wrought iron elements designed to adorn and embellish the palace.

Having received the commission and the deposit, Niccolò Grosso forged a series of exquisite works, among which we can still admire the four lanterns at the corners of the palace. Looking closely, one may notice that the lantern projections resemble onions: a tribute to the history of the square? The square existed before the palace, dating back to Roman Florence, located at the intersection of a minor cardo and the city’s major and minor decumanus.

If we look at the corner of the building facing Via dei Pescioni, we can read a marble plaque bearing a 1762 edict prohibiting the sale of fruit and vegetables in that area, marking the end of an era: ‘Onion Square’ had become ‘Piazza Strozzi’:

” THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS CAPTAINS OF THE PARTY OF THE CITY OF FLORENCE. IN EXECUTION OF THE BENIGN DECREE OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY DATED OCTOBER 6, 1762. WITH THE PRESENT PUBLIC EDICT PROHIBIT ALL WATERMELON SELLERS, MELON SELLERS, FRUITMONGERS, RAG-AND-BONE MEN, RETAILERS, HAWKERS, AND ANY OTHER KIND OF PERSONS FROM SELLING AND RESELLING FRUIT, CLOTHES, SCRAP IRON, AND ANY OTHER SORT OF GOODS IN THE PIAZZA DEGLI STROZZI, UNDER PENALTY FOR TRANSGRESSORS OF FIVE LIRE FOR EACH AND EVERY TIME, TO BE ALLOCATED ENTIRELY TO THE ENFORCERS WHO SHALL CATCH THEM RED-HANDED, IN ADDITION TO THE DISCRETIONARY PUNISHMENT OF THEIR MOST ILLUSTRIOUS MAGISTRATE.

AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE, THEY DECLARE THAT FOR THE UNLOADING AND TRADING OF MELONS, WATERMELONS, AND OTHER FRUITS, THE PIAZZA NUOVA DI S. M. NOVELLA REMAINS DESIGNATED, WHICH FOR THIS USE AND PURPOSE HAS REPLACED THAT OF THE STROZZI.

DONE IN FLORENCE, OCTOBER 13, 1762.

URBANO URBANI, CHANCELLOR”

Original text on the marble plaque:

GL’ILL:^MISS:^RICAPITANI DI PARTE DELLA CITTÀ DI FIRENZE
IN ESECUZIONE DI BENIGNO RESCRITTO DI S.M.I. DEL DI 6
OTTOBRE 1762. CON IL PRESENTE PUBBLICO EDITTO
PROIBISCONO A TUTTI I COCOMERAI POPONAI FRUTTAIUOLI
FERRAVECCHI RIVENDITORI E BARULLI E A QUALUNQUE ALTRO
GENERE DI PERSONE DI STARE A VENDERE E RIVENDERE FRUTTE
PANNI FERRIVECCHI E QUALUNQUE ALTRA SORTE DI ROBE
NELLA PIAZZA DEGLI STROZZI SOTTO PENA A’TRASGRESSORI DI
LIRE CINQUE PER CIASCUNO E CIASCUNA VOLTA DA APPLICARSI
TUTTA AGLI ESECUTORI CHE GLI TROVERANNO IN FRAGRANTI
CON PIÙ L’ARBITRIO DEL MAGISTRATO LORO ILL.^MO
E PER PROVVEDERE AL PUBBLICO SERVIZIO DICHIARANO CHE
PER LO SCARICO E CONTRATTAZIONE DE POPONI COCOMERI E
ALTRE FRUTTE RESTA DESTINATA LA PIAZZA NUOVA DI S.M.^ANOVELLA
CHE PER D^O USO ED EFFETTO È STATA SURROGATA A QUELLA
DEGLI STROZZI. FATTO IN FIRENZE GLI 13 OTTOBRE 1762.
URBANO URBANI CANC:^RE