Uffizi Gallery

When visiting Italy, we highly recommend you take time to visit the Uffizi Gallery where you will discover numerous famous works of art. For example, the Uffizi Gallery is home to the Birth of Venus, the Primavera by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci’s "The Annunciation", along with magnificent works by others such as Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo. Located in Florence, this gallery is an awesome experience for the entire family.

Originally, the gallery was designed by Giorgio Vasari around 1560 as offices for the Duke Cosimo I of the Medici family. However, the gallery has evolved over the years. Rectangular in shape the Uffizi Gallery starts at the Signoria Palace, stretching all the way to the Arno River. Eventually, Francesco I, who was the son of Cosimo I began a private art collection on the second floor of the building. As centuries passed, the Medic family along with Lorranine families began to add more precious art to the collection within the now named Uffizi Gallery.

When visiting the Uffizi Gallery today, some of the rooms should not be overlooked. For example, as mentioned, the Birth of Venus is housed there, which was completed around 1485. In this painting, you will see a Roman goddess of love born from the sea, which is displayed in the Botticelli Room. Also within that room are several other pieces to include the Allegory of Spring, Madonna of the Pomegranate, Pallas and the Centaur, and many other works by Sandro Botticelli.

Next, you want to visit the Leonardo Room, which features the Adoration of the Magi and the Annunciation, both done by Leonardo da Vinci. In addition, works by Luca Signorelli, Perugino, and other incredible articles are displayed. Within the Uffizi Gallery, you will also find many of Michelangelo’s famous paintings that include Titian’s Venus of Urbino, Holy Family, and more.

The Uffizi Gallery is such a popular site in Italy that only small groups can be guided through at a time. Because of this, you could easily wait in line for hours so be prepared to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. If you like, you can call the gallery ahead of time to reserve a tour for a specific time, which is what we recommend. The Uffizi Gallery is open from Tuesday through Saturday and then half days on Sunday. Many of these very pieces of art have been mentioned in the news, seen in magazines, and enjoyed from afar but when visiting the Uffizi Gallery you have an amazing opportunity to see these magnificent pieces up close.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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