Uffizi Gallery Museum Florence

History

The most famous art gallery in Italy is the so-called Uffizi (offices). Together, these offices are merged into a single building complex. The period they were built spans the time from 1559 to 1581. Originally, the Uffizi were planned to accommodate all ministeries of Florence. To make sure there would be enough space for the Uffizi, Cosimo I. de Medici had knocked down an entire district and several other single buildings, for instance, the Romanesque church S. Piero Scheraggion to integrate it into the new edifice. On the upper floor of the east wing, the clan's collection of paintings were accommodated from 1580 on, thanks to Francesco de Medici.

Exhibition

Visitors are not only attracted by the complete renaissance collection being shown here, but also by the world famous Venus by Sandro Botticelli. Some say she is the world's most famous naked woman arising from a shell. This particular artwork was created in 1485 and originates from the Villa di Castello owned by a member of the Medici clan. Another gem is Leonardo da Vinci's painting “The Adoration of the Magi”, which was originally painted for a monastery near Florence, but due to the precipitous departure of the painter to Milan in 1482, the painting was never finished.

The Uffizi was built between 1560 and 1580 under the direction of the painter and art historian Giorgio Vasari. It was originally intended to house public officials such as magistrates and judges, as well as merchants. However, the Medici family wished to use the building to house a private art collection. The Uffizi has been a museum since 1865. Over the centuries, the Medici collection was continually expanded and grew to its current size.

The Uffizi Gallery is located between Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. Thanks to its central location, it is easy to reach them on foot.