Uffizi Gallery
One of the world’s most important art museums
The famous courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery
Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi to give it its official title, is home to some of the world’s most prominent and important Italian Renaissance masterpieces on earth. And that good news is that nearly all of the works inside the gallery are open to public viewing.
Naturally, demand to see these critically important paintings, sculptures and other treasures is constantly high, so advance ticket bookings are essential. April to October sees the largest crowds, and guided tours are a great idea if you want to expand your knowledge and hear the insider info that self guided tours may miss out.
The gallery began life as a collection of offices (hence ‘Uffizi’) to aid famous son of Florence Cosimo de Medici in his consolidation of administrative control of the city. The Uffizi also just happened to house the family’s collection of Roman sculptures, giving birth to the concept of a gallery for displaying priceless works of art.
The layout of the Uffizi Gallery follows a roughly chronological path, beginning with early medieval religious works and slowly working towards the naturalistic liberalism of the late Renaissance period. Boticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera are obvious highlights and adorn all the brochures, but don’t voerlook Piero della Francesca’s Duke and Duchess of Urbino or Caravaggio’s striking Medusa.
Spend time upstairs in galleries 10-14, where you’ll find Boticelli blending into later works by Titian, Raphael and of course Michelangelo. A lesser-known but incredible artwork to keep an eye for is Judith Slaying Holofernes by Artemesia Gentileschi. This emotionally-charged piece certainly holds its own among the Renaissance masters.
Don’t miss the restored Niobe room, including Roman copies of Hellenistic works. The original was destroyed by a Mafia car bomb, so it’s worth appreciating the colossal effort that has gone into bringing this incredible room back to its full glory.
If you need a breather from the seemingly endless line of world-class artworks, then the rooftop cafe offers espresso, cold drinks and exceptional views of the Piazza della Signoria in equal measure. Expect tourist prices.
Once you’ve ticked off your list of must-sees (the Uffizi Gallery’s entire collection is overwhelming, in a good way, so don’t expect to see everything in one visit), stroll along the Arno or grab a bite at Trattoria Antico Fattore, with the menu largely unchanged since its inception in 1865.
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