UFFIZI GALLERY & VASARI CORRIDOR
HISTORY GUIDED TOUR
when in Florence.. do like the Medici used to do!
For sure you know the Ponte Vecchio, the landmark of Florence, but..
have you ever noticed the corridor that crosses above it?
Well, it is the best kept secret of Florence. A private passageway dated back
to the 1564.
At that time, the Grand Duke of Florence, Cosimo I de’Medici, who did not like walking among the people of his town, ordered his favourite architect, Giorgio Vasari, to built a path that would allow him and the Royal family to
move freely from their residence (Palazzo Pitti, left bank of the Arno) to the
government palace (Palazzo della Signoria, right bank).
It turned out to be one of the most astonishing architectural masterpieces of
the Reinassance.
Hidden between the city houses, the corridor goes along for almost 1 mile and shows itself only rarely.
Its true magnificient can be admired right on the Ponte Vecchio, where the
corridor shows itself to the world as one of the landmarks of Florence. The corridor is usually closed to the public.
At once you will have the chance to enjoy a 1 hour and half guided tour of the
Uffizi gallery, with reserved entrance, skipping the usual long lines. From the inside of the Uffizi, the doors of the Vasari Corridor will be opened exclusively for our visit group.
A private walk along the Vasari corridor, will place you back at the Medici
times, when Cosimo I and his wife, Eleonora from Toledo, walked along their private corridor, from one side of the town to the other observing the crowd below, watching their people and not being watched. The corridor leads from the Uffizi, over the Ponte Vecchio, by the houses and even through a church, Santa Felicità, where you will admire the interior from the private balcony of the Royal family, to end the path into the gardens of Palazzo Pitti..
Along the corridor the greateast European collection of self portrait is hosted, with paintings by several important artists.
Combining a guided tour of the Uffizi and a very special experience like the
Vasari corridor, is really something you do not want to miss!
When in Florence.. do like the Medici used to do!
DURATION: 3 hours approximately
DEPARTURE TIME: every friday from May to October at 3.15 pm
Max 8 people
we suggest to wear comfortable shoes
Babies at to 2 years old are free