With its incredible historical buildings, monuments and works of art that are worldwide known, the city of Florence is definitely not short of things to offer. Considered to be the Renaissance’s most representative city in Italy, Florence is filled with Museums and art galleries containing masterpieces. One of the most popular galleries in this city has to be the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most visited museums in Italy. The Uffizi Gallery houses art from some of the most influential artists of the Renaissance such as Caravaggio, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raffaello Sanzio and many more.
Let’s discover all of the beauties held in the Uffizi Gallery and why you shouldn’t miss out on visiting it!
A Glimpse into History: The Fascinating Origins of the Uffizi Gallery
First built at the beginning of the 16th century by Giorgio Vasari under the commission of Cosimo I de’ Medici and only completed towards the ending of the same century by Parigi and Buontalenti, two very talented architects, the Uffizi Gallery is amongst the most visited Museums in Italy and it was created to house the art collection of the Medici Family. Its first name was the “Gallery of Statues” because the Medici Family’s collection was mainly made of Greek classical statues. It wasn’t until the end of the 18th century, more precisely in 1769, that the Uffizi Gallery actually opened as a Museum.
Rooms and Wonders: exploring the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
As previously mentioned, the Uffizi Gallery is one of the most beloved Museums in Italy and especially in Florence. It has over 100 rooms on four floors filled with works of art mainly from the Renaissance made by some of the greatest artists that ever lived. Because of its popularity, the queues to enter the museum can get really long and this is why we suggest you book a skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery Small Group Tour with us for the best experience possible. You will, in fact, be able to get to know everything there’s to know about the masterpieces housed by the Uffizi Gallery with a local guide in under 2 hours!
The Uffizi Gallery is structured with an entrance at the ground floor which is also where you will be able to find history books to accompany your visit or buy souvenirs for your loved ones on your way out.
The first floor is furthermore divided into four parts: The Blue Rooms, the Red Rooms, the Caravaggesque Rooms and the Long Corridor. Each of these rooms contains works of art from different periods and different artists, starting in order with art from the XVI to the XVIII century for the Blue Rooms, art by Raffaello and Vasari in the Red Rooms, art made by the infamous Caravaggio in the Caravaggesque Rooms and a corridor filled with statues that leads to a fantastic balcony looking over the Arno River.
The second floor of the Uffizi Gallery is where most of the works of art that are commonly known and loved are located. They are divided into 45 rooms, housing art from artists like Da Vinci, Botticelli and more.
What to See in the Uffizi Gallery
If you’re planning on visiting the Uffizi Gallery, here’s a list of some of the works of art that we believe you should keep an eye out for: the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli, Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Vecchio, Coronation of the Virgin by Fra Angelico, Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino, Medusa by Caravaggio, The Spring by Rosa Genoni, Lacoon and His Sons by Bandinelli, Portrait of Pope Leo X with Two Cardinals by Raphael and Doni Tondo by Michelangelo.
Plan Your Visit: Opening Times of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
The Uffizi Gallery is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 08:15 AM to 06:50 PM and it’s closed on Mondays.
Conclusion
Visiting the Uffizi Gallery is one of the things you definitely shouldn’t miss out on when visiting the city of Florence. If you love immersing yourself in the beauty of Renaissance art, the Uffizi Gallery is the right place for you!
Get to know more about Italy and the city of Florence by checking out our other blogs and book a private tour with us for the best experience possible!
