Vasari Corridor
- Address:Via de' Bardi, 60-red, Florence, Tuscany
- Hours:Wed & Fri at 2pm & 4:30pm and Thurs at 9am & 11:30am
- Admission: €9.50-15, plus obligatory booking charge (€4) and Uffizi Gallery tkt (€11)
Cultural Experience, Good Views / Viewpoint, Must-Do Experience, Walking/Hiking, Street / Avenue
3:03 PM Saturday, May 26
Passing clouds. Mild.
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Built in 1564, the Vasari Corridor was designed to enable the Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici to move between the Pitti Palace where he lived, the Uffizi where he had his offices, and on to the Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of Florentine government since the 13th century. Almost one kilometer (two-thirds of a mile) long, the elevated corridor passes overhead from the Uffizi, across the Arno River over the top of the shops lining the Ponte Vecchio, through the church of Santa Felicita, crossing gardens and houses until it reaches the Palazzo Pitti.
It was built in just five months, making it a major feat of both architecture and civic power – and paranoia: the Grand Duke no longer wanted to mingle with his people and risk being abused or possibly knifed. He also disliked the smells emanating from the butchers’ shops along the Ponte Vecchio and had them all replaced with the less offensive goldsmiths, which to this day still line the bridge.
The Vasari Corridor is lined with self-portraits by artists, nearly 1,000 paintings in all, dating from the 16th century and still being added to today. Access to the corridor is only by guided tour.
Latest Reviews All Vasari Corridor Reviews »
Wonderful tour! Best guide we've had in all of our tours, who was knowledgeable, but more importantly, passionate about his subject. The Vasari Corridor was fascinating. I'd recommend this tour with this company to anyone!
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Mario, our guide, provided extensive background to assist in the viewing and enjoyment of the many masterpieces. The Uffizi was amazing but the Vasari corridor was excellent as well. He even provided a short lesson on art history using sculpture in the neighborhood on the way to the gallery. Outstanding tour from beginning to end. 5++ stars.
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Aneka was a wonderful guide - very informative and had great personality - she really made history come alive. The only draw back was the fact that we had an afternoon tour, so the place was uncomfortably crowded and quite rushed - however when you are viewing pictures you grew up with in your history and art books, it is quite thrilling. The Vasari corridor was fantastic - more time to stand and stare - some wonderful unique views from the windows and a fantastic selection of self portraits made the time fly. Finishing in the Boboli gardens and with a drink on Piazzo Santo Spirito was a perfect end to a great tour.
Continue Reading »From 4 May to 10 June 2011 (except for 2 June) groups of 5 persons max. can visit the Corridor: on Wed & Fri at 2pm & 4:30pm and Thurs at 9am & 11:30am
