In the heart of Florence lies Galleria degli Uffizi, also known as Uffizi Gallery , one of the world’s finest and oldest art galleries.It houses masterpieces from Leonardo’s times and its curation of paintings and sculptures will have art lovers weak in the knees. To put its merit to perspective, it is safe to say that it ranks right up with the Louvre in Paris and The Metropolitan Museum in New York. It is the second most visited museum in Italy, second to the Vatican Museum in Rome and though majority of the works here are chiefly Italian Renaissance masterpieces, it also houses a commendable collection of classical sculptures.
Uffizi Gallery in a Nutshell
Clocking in over two million visitors yearly, the Uffizi Gallery is ranked amongst the Top 5 things to do in Florence by Tripadvisor. In its U-shaped frescoed labyrinth, you are transported to the Renaissance era of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello, admiring their original works in all its splendour and glory. The Uffizi Gallery was built by the famous Renaissance architect Giorgio Vasari and commissioned by Cosimo I de’Medici way back in 1559. The most mind boggling part of Uffizi Gallery is that, the entire curation is the private collection of just the Medici family , and only a part that too. There are more priceless pieces of art tucked away in other parts of the museum which is not open to public viewing! In short, what began with a collection of artwork influential Medici family is now a world-class museum!
Must-see Exhibits
- The Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto
- Annunciation by Leonardo Da Vinci
- Venus of Urbino by Titian
- Birth of Venus by Botticelli
- Doni Tondo by Michelangelo
Guided Tour + Skip The Line Tickets to Uffizi Gallery ✪
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Quick Jumplinks to Navigate the Guide
- Uffizi Gallery - A Brief History
- Long Queues at Uffizi Gallery & How to Skip Them
- Uffizi Gallery Tickets
- Uffizi Gallery - Floor Layout
- Must See Works at Uffizi Gallery
- Uffizi Gallery Practical Information
- Tips on Visiting the Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi Gallery - A Brief History
In 1560, Cosimo I de' Medici, the second Duke of Florence commissioned Giorgio Vasari, his favourite architect to design a building for administrative and judicial purposes , hence lending to the name “Uffizi” – Office. After his death in 1574, the new duke, Francis I, commissioned Bernardo Buontalenti to convert the top floor of the Uffizi into a repository for the art treasures amassed by the Medici family from the 13th century. Every member of the dynasty thus expanded the collection until the dynasty perished in 1743, after which the collection was left to the state of Tuscany. The Uffizi finally opened doors the public after repeated request in 1765 and exactly hundred years later in 1865, it was formally coined a museum.
Long Queues at Uffizi Gallery & How to Skip Them
Being one of the top attractions in Florence, crowds at Uffizi Gallery is taken at any given point. The gallery is visited by tens of thousands art lovers, travellers, and even local residents, leading to long ticketing queues. However, we have a few hacks that have proven to work, so you can try them and avoid the unending lines:
1. Purchasing Skip the Line tickets online
We are not exaggerating when we say that ticket lines stretch upto 3-4 hours during peak season ( summer and spring ). Due to security reasons, no more than 900 people are admitted at a time, so if you have not booked a slot, you are left standing in the heat for hours together. To avoid ruining your experience and save precious time, you can purchase Skip The Line Tickets to Uffizi Museum , with or without a Guided Tour at the desk price and waltz in during your selected slot.
2. Going through the right gates
If you purchase Skip The Line Tickets to Uffizi Museum off the internet, you are required to exchange your e-ticket for a physical ticket at Gate 3. With the physical ticket in hand, you are then required to go to Gate 1 for security check and consequent entry. Getting the gates right avoid a lot of confusion and time. Do note, these lines may have queues too but these are pretty much manageable and unavoidable.
3. Choosing the right time
Avoid visiting Uffizi Gallery on Tuesday as it pulls the maximum crowd, considering the Gallery remains closed on Monday. Apart from this, minimal crowds are seen early in the morning ( 8:30 AM) and late afternoon ( post 5 PM). If you can schedule your visit around these timings, chances are you will have a quieter visit. Definitely avoid the first Sunday of every month as the entry on these Sundays are free. Tourists will flock in and it gets suffocatingly crowded on these Sundays.
Uffizi Gallery Tickets
1. Priority Entrance Tickets to the Uffizi Gallery
- No Wait: Skip the sometimes hours long lines to the museum and get to spend more time inside the unique Uffizi Gallery
- Enjoy the unique collections at Florence's Most Visited Museum
- No Hassle: Mobile confirmations are accepted. Don't lose time printing your tickets
- Discover the many collections of artworks ranging from the 12th century to the 17th century.
2. Skip The Line Access to the Uffizi Gallery with Audiopen
- No Wait: Skip the sometimes hours long lines to the museum and get to spend more time inside the unique Uffizi Gallery
- Enjoy the unique collections at Florence's Most Visited Museum
- No Hassle: Mobile confirmations are accepted. Don't lose time printing your tickets
- Discover the many collections of artworks ranging from the 12th century to the 17th century.
- Make the most of your time in the gallery with the help of an audiopen that will help you learn about the history and the provenance of the major artifacts in the museum
3. Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour With Skip The Line Tickets
- Skip the Line tickets to Uffizi Gallery, which allows instant access to the museum.
- Enjoy 2 hours guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery from a professional guide
- See the legendary works of prolific painters including Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Giotto and many more!
4. Walking Tour of Florence with Priority Access to Uffizi Gallery
- Skip the Line tickets to Uffizi Gallery which allows priority access to the museum.
- Enjoy a bus tour to Fiesole and take in the panoramic views of Florence from this picturesque location.
- Explore the magical city of Florence by foot and see its many attractions including Loggia Dei Lanzi, Ponte Vecchio, Florence Duomo.
- Professional Guide providing insights through the duration of the tour
5. Guided Tour of Uffizi and Accademia Galleries with Priority Access
- Explore the Top 2 galleries in Florence with a professional guide
- Learn about the various pieces of art, sculptures, and paintings
- Choose from a variety of time slots with food alternatives
6. Guided Florence City Tour with Priority Access to Uffizi & Accademia Galleries
- Full day guided tour of Florence in a luxury coach or minibus
- Professional guide for the duration of the trip
- Skip the line tickets to Accademia Galleria
- Skip the line tickets to Uffizi Gallery
- Lunch with drinks at a historical restaurant available at an extra cost
7. Exclusive Guided Tour of Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery
- Skip the Line Tickets to Palazzo Vecchio
- Skip the Line Tickets to Uffizi Gallery
- Small Tour group size (max.15) allowing for a more interactive, comfortable and engrossing experience
- Expert local guides who lead the way and provide in-depth insights about the artworks
Uffizi Gallery - Floor Layout
The Uffizi Gallery is spread over 3 floors and and here’s a basic floor plan of the Uffizi Gallery that will help you navigate around the museum with better ease. It is best to start from the top floor as it holds the important works and consumes maximum time to cover and then find your way down.
Ground Floor
The ticket office and bookstore is located on this floor. If you’re interested in glancing through books on art, history, museum guides and picking up souvenirs, you can visit this shop located bang opposite the entrance. You will be passing this bookstore cum souvenir shop on your way to the exit, so you can walk through here on your way out too.
First Floor
This floor has many interesting halls and temporary exhibits. You will see the Cabinet of Prints and Drawings here, but you will essentially see the rest of the collection on the second floor.
Second Floor
This floor houses the main and most interesting halls in the museum. There are a total of 45 halls on the second floor of the Uffizi Gallery displaying art spanning from the 13th to the 18th century. At the very end of the second floor, you will find a cafe overlooking the alazzo Vecchio and the rest of the historical center of Florence. From here, you can head back to the first floor along a modern staircase to visit the recently modernized sections of the museum and subsequently to the bookstore and exit along the same path
Must See Works at Uffizi Gallery
"The Ognissanti Madonna" by Giotto: Hall 2 is dedicated to the 13th century Italian artist - Giotto di Bondone and houses one of his most important works the "Madonna Enthroned", also known as "Ognissanti Madonna". In this painting , Giotto has introduced Virgin Mary portrayed as a real woman with feminine form. Read more here
"Annunciation" by Leonardo Da Vinci: This masterpiece was realized between 1475 and 1480 by Leonardo da Vinci and reveals some of the typical traits of Leonardo’s earliest art, such as “reproducing” the nature inside his works. The elements of “science within art” oozing out of this painting makes it a remarkable piece.Read more here
"Venus of Urbino" by Titian: In Hall 83, you can admire this this painting rich in allegories commissioned by the Duke of Urbino in 1538. The essence is derived from the Sleeping Venus, painted in 1510 by Giorgione and the incredible use of lights and colors by Titian reflects the sensuality of Venus’ naked body. Read more here
"Birth of Venus" by Botticelli: A masterpiece by the Florentine painter Sandro Botticelli, the "Birth of Venus" was realized between 1482 and 1485 and has become a landmark of 15th century Italian art, rich in allegorical references to classic literature. It is said that the "Birth of Venus" is an ode to the Medici, the wealthy Florentine family who commissioned the work. Read more here
"Doni Tondo" by Michelangelo: The “Doni Tondo” is a XVI century Italian art and the only painting on panel by Michelangelo Buonarroti in the Uffizi Gallery. This round painting (“tondo” in Italian means round) is characterized by unnatural poses of the Mary, Joseph and Jesus with shimmery colors giving it a unique touch.Read more here
Uffizi Gallery Practical Information
Opening Hours Uffizi Gallery
Tuesday to Sunday (8:15 AM - 6:50 PM)
The ticket office closes at 6:05 PM and they start shutting down the museum at 6:35 PM
Uffizi Gallery remains closed on Mondays,New Years Day, Christmas and May 1st
Getting to Uffizi Gallery
Address
Piazzale degli Uffizi 6, 50122, Florence, Italy
By Train
The closest station to Uffizi Gallery is the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station. From here, the Gallery is a 10 minute walk.
By Car
The closest car park is near the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station. You can park your car here and make a quick walk to the Gallery
By Bus
You can take any bus that has a stop at the anta Maria Novella (SMN) train station. From here, you can walk over to the Gallery
Insider Tips on Visiting the Uffizi Gallery
- Entry to the Uffizi Gallery is free on every first Sunday of the month. Beware, this also happens to be the most crowded day.
- Audio guides are available in 6 languages - Italian, English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese. One piece costs 6 euros and 2 pieces cost 10 euros
- Photographing inside the Uffizi Gallery is strictly forbidden. Cameras are not allowed inside and phones are required to be kept on silent. Certain parts of the first floor of the gallery can be photographed, without flash however.
- If there is a temporary exhibit going on during your visit, your ticket is inclusive of a visit to the exhibit as well.
- Tickets are free for children under the age of 6 , EU citizens who are below the age of 18 and for senior citizens aged 65 and above. A reduced ticket of 3.25 euros is available for EU citizens between the age of 18 and 25.
- Those of you looking for the official website of Uffizi Gallery are likely to be disappointed as the official website is barebones with sparsely populated information. This is due to a constraint in the bureaucratic relationship between Italian museums and the Italian government. However, an alternate NPO website set up by friends of the Uffizi - Uffizi.org is a legit guide to the gallery and contains general information about the museum, its history, and offerings.
- The Uffizi Gallery has limited washrooms, hence the queues tend to get quite long. Be prepared to wait.
- It is advisable to start your visit from the second floor and then work your way down.
- For a sedate and detailed tour of the Uffizi, keep aside a minimum of 3-4 hours. This will allow you to take occasional breaks, sit on the benches in the rooms and grab a bite to re-energize yourself.
- Lifts are available for physically challenged visitors and are accessible only to them. Others are required to use the stairs.
- Travel light as big bags will need to be checked into the cloakroom which means standing in additional queues.
- If you have the Firenze Card, there is a seperate line at the Uffizi ticket counter that allows entry without prior reservations. The queue for this line also tends to be shorter.
- Your Uffizi Gallery ticket allows your entry to the Palatine Gallery, Royal Apartments, Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Modern Art Gallery, Fashion and Costume Museum, temporary exhibitions at Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. Make the most of your ticket by visiting all these attractions.
The post Florence’s Treasure Trove – The Uffizi Gallery appeared first on Headout Blog.
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