Uffizi Gallery

Gallery and Historic Building in Florence

Florence, Italy Uffizi Museum — CC BY-SA 3.0 / Michelle Maria

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is renowned worldwide for housing one of the most significant and exceptional art collections. The palace, designed by Giorgio Vasari and constructed between 1560 and 1580 under the patronage of Cosimo I de’ Medici, serves as the repository for this remarkable collection.

Originally derived from the Medici collections, the gallery’s core has expanded over the centuries through generous bequests, exchanges, and donations. The artworks are displayed in rooms organized by schools and styles, presented chronologically. This arrangement allows visitors to appreciate not only the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, including the finest collection of Florentine Renaissance works, but also masterpieces from German, Flemish, Dutch, and French traditions.

Birth Of Venus, Botticelli — Public Domain / Sandro Botticelli

Among the celebrated artists featured in the gallery, Sandro Botticelli stands out, with one of the most extensive collections of his works housed here. Iconic paintings like the Birth of Venus, the Primavera, the Madonna of the Magnificat, and the Madonna of the Pomegranate can be admired in all their splendour.

Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces are another highlight, including the Baptism of Christ, a collaborative effort with his mentor Verrocchio during his early years as a pupil, the captivating and unfinished Adoration of the Magi, and the youthful Annunciation, notable for its innovative setting.

The Uffizi Gallery is not only a treasure trove of art history but also a symbol of Florence’s cultural heritage, attracting visitors from around the globe who come to witness the beauty and brilliance of these timeless masterpieces.

Top Tip for Visiting Uffizi Gallery: You can bypass the long wait for admission and go straight to the entrance with a Florence: Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Accademia & Uffizi that gives you priority access as well as a guided tour.

The Uffizi Gallery appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Florence!

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