Galleria degli Uffizi

The Galleria degli Uffizi, or Uffizi Gallery, is a palazzo that holds some of the world's oldest and most magnificent art collections in the world. Most of the pieces housed in this palace date back to the Italian Renaissance, and pieces include Italian paintings, classical Roman sculptures, and drawings from northern Europe.

The structure was originally built to become a suite of offices for the Florentine magistrates, hence its title "Uffizi", meaning office. Its design is typical of the Renaissance: three floors of an ascending window frame that faces the square, with its three sides extend from the Palazzo Vecchio to the Arno River. Its interiors are paved with marble flooring, and the main source of light comes from the windows, illuminating the grand halls. Most of the frescoes herein are by Vasari, done in the 16th century.

Giorgio Vasari began construction of the building in 1560, for Cosimo de'Medici. Over time, sections of the palace became storage places for various artworks collected by the Medici family. The gallery has been open to the public since 1765.

Collections and pieces are arranged chronologically, and the gallery is the perfect place to witness the evolution of painting from the Byzantine era down to the Baroque.

Tourists are advised to visit this gallery early in the morning. Be prepared for long lines that may take up to three hours. Try to be at the gates before opening hours. However, once you're inside, you will find that the gallery is actually small enough to tour in just a few hours.