Get ready to visit the Uffizi Gallery: curiosities and history
Buildings hide far more secrets within their walls than we see at first glance. Mysteries, curiosities, and anecdotes multiply when we talk about constructions with as much history as the Galleria degli Uffizi, one of the most important buildings in Florence and all of Italy. If you’re thinking of buying tickets for the Uffizi Gallery and want to know what mysteries and curiosities it holds, we’ll tell you!
History and curiosities of the Uffizi Gallery
Why is it called Uffizi? The origin of the Gallery
To understand the history of the Uffizi Gallery, we must go back to the 16th century, when Cosimo I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, commissioned the architect Giorgio Vasari to build a structure that would unify the administrative offices (“uffizi” in Italian) of the Florentine government. That’s where the building’s name comes from: uffizi means “offices” or “official duties.”
The project began in 1560 with a clear political intent: to display the centralized power of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany under the control of the Medici family. The U-shaped building stretches from the Piazza della Signoria to the River Arno. The original design included two parallel wings connected by a gallery on the top floor—and this is precisely where a completely different story would begin.
Francesco I de’ Medici and the birth of the gallery
The transformation of this administrative space into a museum began thanks to Francesco I de’ Medici, son of Cosimo I and a great lover of the arts and sciences. Francesco decided to turn the top floor of the building into his personal gallery, where he would gather his extraordinary collection of artworks.
This private gallery was decorated with Roman statues, family portraits, paintings by the great masters of the Renaissance, and elements that reflected the refined taste of the Medici. It was a personal collection, yes, but also a way to showcase the cultural and aesthetic power of one of Europe’s most influential families.
We could say that this initiative gave rise to what we now know as the modern museum. Long before public art institutions existed, the Uffizi already functioned as an exhibition space—albeit reserved for a privileged few.
From private collection to public museum
So when did it shift from private collection to museum? After the death of the last direct heir of the family, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, the Family Pact was signed in 1737. This agreement established that the Medici art collections could not be removed from Florence. Thanks to this vision, the city has preserved to this day an unparalleled artistic heritage, and the Uffizi Gallery was able to continue its expansion as a museum.
Over time, collections have been added, spaces restored, and works organized chronologically and thematically. Today, walking through the exhibition rooms is a journey from the Middle Ages to the Baroque, with must-see stops before different masterpieces in art history.
The Vasari Corridor: a secret passage with centuries of history
One of the most surprising features of the Uffizi is the Vasari Corridor, an elevated, enclosed walkway that connects the Uffizi Gallery with the Palazzo Pitti, crossing the Ponte Vecchio.
This passage was also designed by Vasari in 1565, on the occasion of the marriage between Francesco I de’ Medici and Joanna of Austria. The reason? To allow the Medici to move between their residences without mingling with the populace. Surprised?
The Corridor has also been used to house collections of artists’ self-portraits over the centuries. Although it was closed for 8 years for restoration, it has been reopened to the public, and walking through it today is an experience you shouldn’t miss.
Italy’s most visited museum
The latest data from Italy’s Ministry of Culture (2024, published in 2025) show that the Uffizi Gallery is the most visited state museum in Italy. Among all monuments, it is second only to the Colosseum Archaeological Park, and it is the first museum to appear on the list, followed by its neighbor, the Galleria dell’Accademia. Art takes center stage in Florence!
Uffizi curiosities that will surprise you
Beyond its history and masterpieces, the Uffizi Gallery is full of details and anecdotes that make it even more special:
- The oldest museum in Europe: although the Louvre often gets the spotlight, the Uffizi were already operating as a gallery in the 16th century, earning it the title of one of the world’s first museums in the modern sense.
- The “Tribuna” of the Uffizi: an octagonal room decorated with semiprecious stones, mirrors, marbles, and paintings, designed by Bernardo Buontalenti. It was the heart of Francesco I’s collection and is considered one of the oldest exhibition spaces in Europe.
- The painted ceilings: many of the galleries are adorned with frescoes and decorations that often go unnoticed amid the magnitude of the works. Don’t forget to look up as you walk through the corridors.
- The hidden Uffizi: beneath the museum, in the less visible area, there are high-level storage rooms and restoration labs. Although they are not normally open to visitors, they are an essential part of museum work.
An experience that goes beyond art
The Uffizi Gallery is more than a museum; it is the legacy of one of Europe’s most important families. If you are planning to visit Florence, don’t miss the chance to discover this unique place. If you would like a deeper, more personalized experience, we will be delighted to accompany you.