When was the Uffizi Gallery officially opened to the public?
The Uffizi Gallery was officially opened to the public in 1769, though it had been accessible to visitors by request since the sixteenth century. It formally became a museum in 1865.
Questions about Uffizi
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who built the Uffizi and why was it originally constructed?
Giorgio Vasari began construction of the Uffizi in 1560 on orders from Cosimo I de' Medici. It was built to consolidate Florence's administrative committees, agencies, and guilds under one roof; the name uffizi means offices. Alfonso Parigi and Bernardo Buontalenti completed the building in 1581.
What happened to the Uffizi in the 1993 Mafia bombing?
On the 27th of May 1993, the Sicilian Mafia detonated a car bomb in Via dei Georgofili next to the Uffizi, killing five people. The blast destroyed five artworks and damaged 30 others; the Niobe room suffered the worst damage, and its frescoes were damaged beyond repair.
How did the Medici art collection end up belonging to Florence?
After the ruling House of Medici died out, the last Medici heiress, Anna Maria Luisa, negotiated the Patto di famiglia, or family pact, which transferred the entire collection to the city of Florence.
What is the Tribuna degli Uffizi?
The Tribuna degli Uffizi is an octagonal room designed by Bernardo Buontalenti and completed in 1584. Grand Duke Francesco I commissioned it to display a concentrated selection of Medici masterpieces alongside jewels, and it became a celebrated destination on the Grand Tour.
How many people visited the Uffizi in 2016 and how long were the wait times?
More than two million people visited the Uffizi in 2016, making it the most visited art gallery in Italy. At peak periods, particularly in July, waiting times for entry reached up to five hours.