The Palazzo Riccardi Medici, now the seat of the Metropolitan City of Florence, was built by the Medici family in the 15th century and later expanded by the Riccardi family, who acquired it in 1659. It was commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici and served as the family’s principal residence until the exile of Piero de’ Medici by Charles VIII of France in 1494. It continued to be used as the principal residence of the Medici after their return to the city in 1512, until Cosimo I moved the family to the Palazzo Vecchio in 1540. During this later period it served as the home of the young Catherine de’ Medici – of whom more on page 90.