The "Palazzina" (´small palace´) is another of the renovations
commenced by Peter Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine, who reversed the decline
of the Gardens in the 30 years previous to his reign (that is, after the death
of Giangastone, last of the Medici). It was begun in 1776 according to plans
of Niccoló Gaspero Paoletti, but was not finished until 1832 under
the direction of the architect Pasquale Poccianti. It was intended to provide
more comfortable accommodations than those available in the Pitti Palace.
These apartments were used by Italy's royal Savoy family on their stays in
Florence. Today it houses the Costume Museum, which exhibits clothing and
accessories typical of Tuscany's ruling royals from the 18th to early 20th
century. It also has the 16th century funeral garments of Grand-duke Cosimo
I, his wife Eleonora of Toledo and their son Don Garzia.