A Guide Through the Uffizi Gallery of Florence

The Uffizi Gallery was built in 1581 and is home to some of the world''s greatest pieces of artwork known to man From the moment you walk in, there is a sense of beauty and wonder

The Uffizi Gallery was built in 1581 and is home to some of the world''s greatest pieces of artwork known to man. From the moment you walk in, there is a sense of beauty and wonder. From the paintings in the ceiling of the main corridor to the Doni Tondo by Michelangelo, there is no end to the masterpieces you will find in this museum.

Originally built as the offices of the Florentine magistrates, the Uffizi museum is one of the first modern galleries. It has been open for public viewing since the 1765. The Uffizi gallery holds much more than just paintings. There are sculptures, scientific instruments, and statues which adorn two floors of the building.

The building in it''s self is a masterpiece of architecture. Designed by Giorgio Vasari, the Uffizi gallery is built next to the Medici palace. It over looks the Arno River. Great care was taken to enhance the beauty of the city when the gallery was built.

The art collection is vast and varies from time to time. Many pieces of the artwork have suffered damage throughout the years. They need to be restored with great care. As the restoration process becomes complete, the rejuvenated pieces are added to the collection where they belong. Each section of the Uffizi gallery is dedicated to certain pieces of artwork.

There are plans to expand the Uffizi gallery to show more of the great artwork that is in the collection. Many pieces are being stored in the warehouse at present because of a lack of display rooms. With the expansion, each piece will have a permanent home in the museum.

You will be able to see many of the magnificent pieces from Leonardo da Vinci and Hugo van der Goes when you tour the Uffizi museum. The infamous statue of David is also located in the gallery. Much of the artwork comes from the private collection of the Medici family. When the last heiress, Anna Maria Lodovica, went to France to wed the king of Lorena she signed an agreement that any of the artwork on display to the public would never leave Florence. The collection was quite extensive. Over the years it has grown even more. Many of the paintings have been donated by individuals and organizations.

The Uffizi gallery is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is closed every Monday. It is also closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. The hours of operation are from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased either on line or at the entrance. It is recommended to purchase them on line to avoid any waiting in lines. During the busy season, it has been as long as a five hour wait to tour the Uffizi gallery. The price of a ticket is 6.50 ? or about $10. People over 65 and those under 18 get in for free. There is a discount for European citizens who are between the ages of 18 and 25. When you make your reservations, you can ask for one of the many tours being offered on the day of your visit.

Roberta Leoni writes articles for http://www.virtualuffizi.com, which is the ultimate guide for the Uffizi Gallery of Florence, and she specialises in the Uffizi museum''s art.