Florence Hotel Marzia. Monuments. Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence Italy is one of the finest art galleries in Italy and the world. It was built during the Renaissance age, between 1560 and 1580 by the wishes of Cosimo I of the famous Medici family, governor of Florence, to house the offices of the magistrates. The plan, from the beginning, included a private gallery on the upper floors to house the collection of Cosimo I, a passionate art lover and collector.
Cosimo I chose Giorgio Vasari for the project who carried it out up until his death in 1574. The completion of the project was then handed over to Buontalenti and Alfonso Parigi. The gallery remained private up until 1765, when Anna Maria Luisa, heir of the Medici's, opened it to the public in order to share the beauty with all.
The rooms in the gallery display work in a chronological order with pieces ranging from the 13th century up to the 18th century. Priceless paintings by Italian artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, numerous pieces by Botticelli and many more, are on exhibition and a large collection of German, Dutch and Flemish artists including Rubens and Rembrandt can also be found.
The gallery, however, does not exhibit only paintings but an array of pieces that include sculptures, seen along the spacious frescoed corridors of the gallery, drawings and ornamental pieces and clothing.
On the ground floor, tourists can find a book and gift shop and a bar.