Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest and most comprehensive galleries of Renaissance art found anywhere in the world. The museum includes many great works by world-famous artists like Sandro Botticelli, Di Vinci, and Michelangelo. Seeing the artwork in the city that inspired the Renaissance is part of the appeal to this museum. The historic center of the city is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the museum is a fitting addition to such an incredible city. The Uffizi Gallery was left to Italy as a parting gift from the Medici family and is one of the continent’s greatest art collections.

The Uffizi gallery was built by the first Grand Duke of Tuscany – Cosimo the Great – designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560. Grand projects like this helped to consolidate the power of the Medici family. While the Medici family influence would decline by the 18th century, they left quite an impact from their time at the top of high society. Cosimo’s son began the art collection here in 1681 and would later go on to becoming a proper museum in 1769. As a result, it has earned its reputation as one of the best museums in the world. It’s a really easy museum to enjoy and is one of Florence’s can’t miss attractions.

In 1743, when the last of the dynasties heirs – Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici – left it to the government of Tuscany to “adorn the State, be of utility to the Public and attract the curiosity of Foreigners”. Because of hundreds of years of collecting, we think that this mission statement was successfuly accomplished.

What makes the Uffizi Gallery so amazing?

As one of the most well-known art galleries in Europe, this would be high on any art lovers’ list of places to visit in Florence. It should also be on every visitor’s itinerary, as there is plenty of star appeal located in this gallery. All the biggest art world names are here to impress.

This incredible destination ticks all the boxes. For instance, there are several worthy names to appease even the most novice of art lovers. I would consider myself one of the latter and this museum still gives me great memories even 6 years later.

The museum is located inside of an incredible historic building, covering the entire top floor of the museum. The museum surrounds a big courtyard in the middle. Inside is where the magic happens. There were many great paintings from some of the most well-known artists in Europe. Some of the most famous pieces of art that stood out to me were the Birth of Venus and Primavera (Sandro Botticelli), Annunciation (Leonardo DaVinci), and the circular painting Doni Tondo (Michelangelo) just to name a few. As a result of some of these great artists, this is an important step to understanding Florence and Tuscany as well as the greater renaissance history. It is simply one of the can’t miss things in Florence.

In case you’re still looking for reasons to visit, there are many great sculptures from the ancient Roman period filling the grand hallways of the museum. The architecture itself will keep you entertained. It feels historic. Because of this, it is quite easy to picture this grand space in its early incarnation, watching the Medicis host the upper-class elites of Europe.

Uffizi Gallery

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