The House of Medici put Florence on the world map - a wealthy banking family that turned the city into a center of power and finance. The Medici family, led by Cosimo de' Medici, came to power in the 13th century and was a patron of several artists and sculptors.
The Uffizi Gallery was built between 1560 and 1580 by Giorgio Vasari on behalf of Cosimo I de Medici, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, and houses one of the oldest and most famous art collections in the world.
The Uffizi was originally conceived as an office for Florentine magistrates, judges, technicians and merchants. It currently consists of 50 rooms containing paintings from the 13th to the 18th century. Among the best known are the famous "Ognissanti Madonna" by Giotto, the "Battle of San Romano" by Paolo Uccello, Piero della Francesca's diptych of "Federico da Montefeltro", the "Birth of Venus" by Botticelli alongside 3 works by Leonardo da Vinci, one by Michelangelo, some by Raphael and many by Titian and Caravaggio.
Enthroned Virgin and Child surrounded by angels and saints (Ognissanti Maestà) © Le Gallerie degli Uffizi, Daniela Parenti
Today, the Uffizi Gallery is certainly one of the most visited and appreciated museums in the world. The origins of the Uffizi Gallery lie in the period of the greatest splendor of the Republic of Florence. It is an essential destination for any trip to Florence, especially for art lovers, as this gallery is the most important collection of Italian paintings and, above all, houses great Renaissance masterpieces. In addition to the countless masterpieces that can be admired throughout the year, you can also look forward to unique special exhibitions!
