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All about the Uffizi Gallery of Florence |
HOW TO ENJOY THE UFFIZI GALLERY
The Uffizi Gallery plays host to more than just masterpieces on canvas or wood. It tells the story of the development of art through the centuries. Some of the greatest masterpieces every created are displayed on it's two floors. Contained in 45 rooms is the chronological order of the progression of art throughout the history of Florence. Some of the pieces date back before the 13th century.
Housed in this building, once designed to be the offices of the magistrate for Florence, are the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. When you visit theUffizi museum, one day may not be enough to take in the wealth of culture presented. Every room and hallways reflects some form of art or another. From the painted ceilings in the main corridor to the second largest miniature collection, young and old will enjoy what the Uffizi has to offer.
The art gallery starts on the first floor and spreads throughout 45 or so rooms up to the second floor. The rooms are numbered and shows the progression of Florentine art throughout the centuries. It is interesting to see some of the sketches the masters did prior to putting subjects to canvas. The “Primavera” by Botticelli and his "Birth of Venus" are two of the great masterpieces you will discover in the rooms of the Uffizi Gallery. These remarkable art pieces depict the true artistry of the Renaissance period.
There is no one fascinating room in the Uffizi Gallery. There is so much, that to choose would be impossible. It is best to take the guided tour to be able to see as much as possible. You can then tour the museum on your own to linger over a certain piece or to see something you did not catch during the first walk through. There are maps to better help with finding what you may be interested in seeing.
Do not expect to take in all the statues, carvings and paintings in an hour or so. This is a museum which must be appreciated over the course of several hours. You can relax at the refreshment bar or the outside terrace on the rooftop. Once done, you can take in the spectacular view of the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio, or the "Old Bridge". The entire Uffizi Gallery is surrounded by history from centuries ago. You can not go to Florence without making reservations for the Uffizi Gallery.
The Uffizi Gallery has a strict policy of only allowing about 660 guests into the museum at one time. Because of the rarity of these masterpieces, a constant temperature must be maintained. For this reason the number of visitors is limited. If you happen to go during one of the peak seasons, such as July, you may find yourself waiting in line for up to five hours. This is why the museum suggests scheduling a tour in advance. You can do this either on line or by telephone. The fee for scheduling reservations is only 3€, or about $4.50 U.S. dollars.
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