Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio Florence

Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio Florence

The Uffizi palace was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 to house the administrative offices and the judiciary of the Duchy, later to become the Grand Duchy, of Florence.

It is one of the most important architectural works in the Renaissance style in Italy. The way the building lengthens and opens from Piazza Signoria towards the River Arno is very impressive.

The attractive rhythmical and architraved portico is surmounted by a bust of the Grand Duke Cosimo I, positioned between allegorical statues of Exactitude and Impartiality. The upper floor of the palace is the Uffizi Gallery, one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world.

Piazza della Signoria is the most typical civic focal point in Florence. Palazzo Vecchiowas constructed between 1299 and 1314 by Arnolfo di Cambio to be the headquarters of the City-State of Florence and of the Supreme Magistrature. It took the name Palazzo Vecchio when the Duke Cosimo de’ Medici, who lived here between 1540 and 1550, decided to make Palazzo Pitti his official residence and went to live there.

This is an imposing fortress palace and symbolises the power of Florence. Its façade is distinguished by the fact that the tower is out of symmetry, which is due to the fact that the pre-existing structure was used.