The Uffizi Gallery

Welcome to the Uffizi Gallery, yet another symbol of the powerful Medici dynasty. Cosimo de’ Medici ordered its construction in the 16th century. Today, this gallery is renowned worldwide for its Florentine Renaissance art, housing one of the richest collections in the world. It was once home to the Medici family’s offices, before becoming a museum when Francesco I, Cosimo’s son, decided to dedicate the top floor to his collection of paintings, jewels, statues, and other artistic objects. He then opened the building to visitors, at first only to acquaintances, and later to the city’s residents, making the Uffizi Gallery one of the oldest museums in the world. A must-see for art lovers!