The history

On both sides of the main entrance of Palazzo Vecchio, we find the two marble statues, the so-called “Termini”, the male by Vincenzo de ‘Rossi and the female by Baccio Bandinelli, reflect a classical statuary genre. Scarce historical information makes the attribution and time of execution uncertain. According to the prevailing opinion, they depict the spouses Philemon and Baucis, who according to legend were transformed by Jupiter into an oak and a lime tree. Originally, the statues supported a chain that was placed as a barrier to the entrance.