Tuesday 21 November 2023

Florence - Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is located adjacent to the  Piazza della Signoria and it's open inner courtyard leads to the River Arno. It holds a collection of artworks particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance. 

Uffizi Gallery


Uffizi Gallery
Inner courtyard entrance to River Arno

The Uffizi complex, "office complex"  was built for Cosimo I de' Medici to accommodate all of the committees, agencies, and guilds established in the Florentina Republican in one location to consolidate administrative control. The top floor was made into a gallery for the family and their guests and included their collection of Roman sculptures.

Uffizi Gallery Medici family

 

When the  House of Medici died out in 1730  their art collections were given to the city of Florence. In 1769 the Uffizi was opened to the public, formally becoming a museum in 1865.

Uffizi Gallery