UFFIZI GALLERY ARCHITECTURE
About Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is one of Italy’s oldest and most visited museums. Designed by Giorgio Vasari, it is situated in the historic center of the old town of Florence, next to Piazza della Signoria. The gallery occupies the first and second floors of a grand palace that houses a collection of valuable art pieces from medieval times to modern art. The museum has a unique shape, with its longest passageway stretching about 1 kilometer. This offers great views of Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio from above. The gallery is famous for its extensive collection of Renaissance paintings.
The Uffizi Palace
The Uffizi Gallery, built in the 16th century in Florence, is a key example of Italian Renaissance architecture. Designed by Giorgio Vasari at the request of Cosimo I de’ Medici, the building originally housed the offices of Florentine magistrates known as “uffizi” and also served as a state archive. The design features a classical Doric style, replacing older medieval buildings with a bright, modern look. The Uffizi has three primary levels: a portico, a main floor (piano nobile), and a loggia. It features a long, narrow courtyard that connects the museum’s two long wings and opens to the Arno River. That architectural element was an innovation at the time. After Cosimo’s death, his son Francesco I continued the project, and architect Bernardo Buontalenti contributed to its decoration and completion.
Medici family art collection
The Medici family collected art over the years, and their collection of Roman sculptures and other valuable artworks became the museum’s foundation. The collection was displayed on the top floor, transforming into a gallery. The Medici family also displayed art in Pitti Palace, their main residence. The Vasari Corridor connected two sites, which allowed the Medici to move between the two locations. After the last Medici heiress, Anna Maria Luisa, passed away, the art collection was donated to the city of Florence. Over time, more rooms were added to display the Medici’s paintings and sculptures, with about 45 to 50 rooms showing art from the 13th to 18th centuries.
The Tribune
The Tribune is one of the most beautiful rooms in the Uffizi Gallery. It has a unique octagonal shape and stunning decorations, housing ancient sculptures and art from the Medici collection. Built by architect Bernardo Buontalenti between 1581 and 1583 for Grand Duke Francesco I de’ Medici, it displays jewels and elements from nature. The room symbolizes Heaven and features a dome with a lantern. The walls and ceiling are decorated with mother-of-pearl, marbles, silks, and shells, representing the four elements: fire (red velvet walls), air (the lantern), water (mother-of-pearl on the dome), and earth (colorful marble floor). The Tribune has been rearranged many times and continues to impress visitors with its beauty.
The Botticelli Room
The Botticelli Room in the Uffizi Galleries is dedicated to the works of Sandro Botticelli, one of the most celebrated artists of the Renaissance. Key pieces include “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera”, both of which show Botticelli’s recognizable style with elegant figures and meaningful symbols. Its bright colors and detailed designs emphasize love, beauty, and mythology. Many visitors enjoy this room, as it reveals Botticelli’s artistic ideas and the culture of his era.
The Raphael Room
One of the visitor’s favorite spots is the Raphael Room, exhibiting works by the famous Renaissance artist Raphael. It includes important paintings like “The Madonna of the Pinks” and “The Portrait of a Young Man”. The room highlights Raphael’s elegant artwork and skill in color, composition, and expression. Its decoration combines classical and Renaissance styles. The Raphael Room is a must-see for anyone interested in Renaissance art.
The Staircases
The Uffizi Gallery has two main staircases: the Grand Staircase and the Secondary Staircase. The Grand Staircase, designed by Vasari in the 16th century, is the main staircase that connects the lower floors to the top floor, where the main gallery is. Made of “pietra serena” sandstone, it initially led to a hall for the Magistrates, later converted into the Medici Theater by Bernardo Buontalenti. Despite renovations, it retains its original design. The Secondary Staircase is located on one side of the building and connects different floors. Commissioned by Pietro Leopoldo in the early 1790s, it was designed by Zanobi del Rosso in an elegant neoclassical style with pastel soft green colors.
The Gallery Corridors
The Uffizi Galleries have three main corridors on the top floor: the East, South, and West. These corridors are decorated with frescoes that show mythological scenes. Visitors can enjoy beautiful views from the windows, looking out at famous landmarks like Santa Maria del Fiore and Ponte Vecchio.
The Uffizi Library
The Uffizi Library was set up in the 18th century to hold 30,000 books donated by Antonio Magliabechi, the Medici grand dukes’ librarian. The first librarians used an old theater for the collection. Beautiful frescoes were found during renovations, and Giovanni Battista Foggini decorated the library. Grand Duke Gian Gastone de’ Medici ensured it could print and store books. The library opened to the public in 1747 and was renamed the National Central Library. In 1935, the collection moved, and in 1998, the Uffizi Library was established in the former Magliabechiana Library, storing important documents about the Uffizi and its art collections.
“Primitivi” Rooms
The “Primitivi” Rooms display famous Florentine and Tuscan paintings from the 13th century, featuring artists like Giotto, Cimabue, and Duccio. Built in the mid-1950s, these rooms are designed to resemble the main area of a medieval church. The architects Giovanni Michelucci, Carlo Scarpa, and Ignazio Gardella were part of the Modern Architecture movement. Instead of traditional styles, the rooms have a clean, white interior with simple lines and minimal decoration, using traditional materials like Tuscan cotto.
Niobe room
The Niobe Room was built in a neoclassical style by Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Lorraine to present thirteen sculptures found in Rome in 1583. These statues tell the tragic story of Niobe, who lost her children due to her pride. The room was renovated for the sculptures and opened in 1780. Architects Zanobi del Rosso and Gaspare Maria Paoletti led the project, with contributions from various artists. It features two large paintings by Pieter Paul Rubens and other works by Justus Suttermans and Giuseppe Grisoni, combining classic design with beautiful decorations.
The painting collections
The painting collection has masterpieces from the 14th century and the Renaissance by artists like Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio, along with many works by European painters from Germany, the Netherlands, and Flanders. The Gallery also has a valuable collection of ancient statues and busts from the Medici family, displayed in the hallways, including Roman copies.
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Uffizi Gallery Small-Group Tour
Join us for a small-group tour of the Uffizi Gallery with priority access. Experience the art in one of the oldest museums in the world and learn interesting stories behind some of the world's most iconic masterpieces. Explore the beautiful corridors of the palace, which display the extensive collection of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's famous Birth of Venus and Primavera, Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci, and Medusa by Caravaggio. After your tour, relax at the cafeteria on the Uffizi Gallery's terrace, where you can enjoy refreshments and stunning city views.
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Experience the Uffizi Gallery like a VIP with a personalized tour! Skip the long lines and enjoy private attention as you explore one of the world’s most valuable art collections from the 12th to the 17th century. View masterpieces by Raphael, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Titian, including Botticelli's iconic The Birth of Venus. Discover the interesting stories behind the artworks and their creators, and learn about the history of this ancient museum. Feel free to ask questions, focus on the highlights, and make the most of your visit without wasting time wandering around!
Renovations and expansion
In 2006, the exhibition space was expanded from 6,000 to 13,000 square meters, and some artworks had to be moved to other museums like the Bargello. The Nuovi Uffizi renovation started in 1989 to modernize the museum and double its display area. The renovation continued from 2015 to 2017, when some exhibition rooms were closed temporarily due to construction work. After 150 days of closure during the Covid-19 pandemic, the museum reopened in 2021 with 14 new rooms.
Uffizi Gallery today
The Uffizi Gallery today houses art pieces in over 100 rooms and 13,000 square meters of exhibition space. It is part of the palace that covers over 63,000 square meters, with more than 2,300 rooms. This prominent museum continues to be one of the most visited museums in Italy, attracting visitors from all over the world.
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Skip the lines, save money and explore the world's most celebrated art collections of Medieval and Renaissance masterpieces with this Uffizi Gallery Discounted Ticket. View the works of many famous Italian artists, as well as the unique pieces of antique furniture, sculptures, decorative arts, drawings, photos, and books in the beautiful setting of a 16th-century palace. Explore the stunning corridors and galleries and see Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Leonardo Da Vinci's Annunciation, and the artwork of Michelangelo, Raffaello, Caravaggio, and Titian. Select your preferred time and explore the artistic treasure of Florence at your own pace.