What To Know Before You Visit The Uffizi Gallery And The Top Seven Must-See Works
On my first trip to Europe, I was thrilled to explore some of the most renowned museums in the world. Although I had visited many museums in New York City, I was eager to witness the art and decor of European museums.
During my seven-day stay in Italy, I had the chance to visit three historic museums: the Vatican Museums and Galleries, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Accademia Gallery.
To avoid getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of artworks in these three museums (I was super overwhelmed when I visited each one), I suggest first focusing on the must-see pieces. This way, you can make the most of your time. I have compiled a list of my favorites and must-sees for the Uffizi Gallery to ensure you don't miss out on anything seeing these works.
Some History
© Gordon Bell/Dreamstime.com
In 1559, Cosimo I de-Medici wanted the painter/architect Giorgio Vasari to plan a building for the offices of the government judiciary. (Uffizi translates to offices)The Uffizi Palace (1560 -1580) is an excellent example of Mannerist architecture. Mannerism is characterized by extreme sophistication, complexity, and novelty, all of which this incredible structure exhibits.
Cosimo died in 1574, and the new Grand Duke Francis I commissioned Bernardo Buontalenti to convert the top floor of the Uffizi into a museum for the art collection the Medici family acquired. In 1769, the Uffizi opened to the public.
Since its opening, millions have visited this museum each year to view its collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, antiques, sculptures, and over 100,000 drawings and prints. I spent about three hours there and still didn't see everything. If you want to see every piece in this museum, it would take several hours over multiple visits.
how to enter the uffizi
Florence is just a 90-minute high-speed train ride from Rome, making planning a day or two-day trip to this beautiful city easy.
Booking tickets in advance is crucial to any activity in Italy, but being on time is just as critical at the Uffizi Gallery.
My entry time was 11:30 -11:45, and I purchased my tickets online in advance, so I needed to pick them up in person. You have to pick up the physical ticket at the ticket office, and you can only do this approximately 5-10 minutes before your time. Admission times are very strict. I was turned away for being five minutes too early.
Once you exit the line with the ticket you picked up, you must enter another line across the street to wait until the entry time. You are then allowed inside the museum, going through security first, and are free to explore the collection.
When I visited at the end of March, it was warm, and I can only imagine how hot it would get in the middle of summer. But, in all honesty, this museum is worth sweating for.
7 must-see works of the uffizi gallery
1. The birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
DATE: 1485
LOCATION: A12 BOTTICELLI Venus
This tempera on canvas showcases Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, arriving on land on the island of Cyprus. She is standing on a scallop shell and is all of perfection and purity. This painting celebrates Venus as a symbol of love and beauty.
Despite Venus's disproportionate body, this is the most important nude depicted since classical antiquity.
This work's softness, beauty, and feminity are iconic and even more beautiful in person. It’s position in the room brings even more grandness to the piece.
2. Doni Tondo by Michelangelo
DATE: 1505-1506
LOCATION: A38 Raphael and Michelangelo
Also known as the Holy Family, this painting features the Christian holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph, with John the Baptist in the background and five nude male figures.
This painting is the only finished panel painting by Michelangelo that has survived the test of time.
The work is rather big in person and has a fascinating depth of field effect due to the way it was composed on the tempera grassa on wood.
3. Primavera by Sandro Botticelli
DATE: 1480
LOCATION: A11 BOTTICELLI Spring
This painting, also known as ‘Spring,’ shows nine mythological figures in the foreground and a grove of orange and laurel trees in the background. Venus is in the center of the painting, dominating the work with her beauty. It is thought that this painting celebrates love, peace, and prosperity.
The dark color of the background is due to the aging process of the original pigment. When I saw it in person, I did not know that and had a different personal meaning for this work, which was much darker due to the dark colors.
4. Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci
DATE: 1472
LOCATION: A35. Leonardo da Vinci
Painted with oil on wood, Leonardo depicts Archangel Gabriel kneeling before the Virgin Mary.
Mary’s right arm is a bit too long proportion-wise, but many equate that to Leonardo’s early research into optics. It is also considered one of his earlier works, which he painted while still working in Andrea del Verrocchio's studio.
I enjoyed the darker colors and tones of this work.
5. Venus of Urbino by Titian
DATE: 1538
LOCATION: D22. Tiziano and Venere di Urbino
As one of Titian’s most famous works, this painting depicts a young bride waiting to be dressed for a celebration in Venice known as il toccamano. Il toccamano is a ceremony at home in which a young woman whose hand in marriage was requested would touch the hand of her would-be groom to express her consent.
Many find this work to be erotic. The sheets are wrinkled, she is lying naked on the bed, and her gaze can be depicted as flirtatious while she hides her pubic area with her left hand.
I can see how it can be taken as an erotic painting, but I found it to be quite tasteful.
6. Hermaphroditus
DATE: 2nd Century A.D
LOCATION: A40 Hermaphroditus
This sculpture was carved from a block of marble and depicts Hermaphroditus while naked and sleeping on his stomach.
When I visited the Uffizi, Hermaphroditus was placed with the other side facing onlookers. I did not see his face. You can make out the womanly shape of his body, but the slight turn of his hips revealed his dual nature of man and woman.
What is interesting about this work is that its location is secluded from everything else. It is in its small, dimly lit room with a black backdrop. You cannot enter the room, so you admire this sculpture from afar.
7. Medusa by Caravaggio
DATE: 1597
LOCATION: 90 Caravaggio
I saved my favorite work for last.
This oil on canvas mounted on wood painting depicts Medusa, but Caravaggio replaced her face with his own. This can be taken as him claiming to be immune from turning to stone from one look by her.
The work is quite gorry and violent. In all honesty, it disturbed me when I first saw it. It was uncanny and unsettling, but the more I looked at it…, the more I loved it. Caravaggio depicts this as the severed head of Medusa, so there is blood pouring from the neck, and the eyes are wide due to the violent act.
UFfizi Gallery Tips
BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE
I cannot stress this enough. The last thing you want to do is spend hours waiting to get into the museum and have limited time to view all these incredible works of art.
You can book tickets on the official website, or you can book tours using my Viator Affiliate Link!
DISCLAIMER: The following links are affiliate links. If you decide to purchase anything from these links, I may earn a commission on eligible bookings at no additional cost to you.
How Much Time?
Carve out AT LEAST 3 hours for your visit.
CHECK POLICIES
Check the website for the current prohibited items, bags, photography, and filming policies.
Best Time To Visit?
I visited on a Sunday at the end of March, and it was not that crowded, as it was not Spring break time. I recommend visiting during this time of year.
ANYTHING ELSE?
You will be doing a lot of walking and stair climbing, so dress comfortably and use the bathroom when you first enter the museum. It was hard to find another restroom after that.
I'm Andrea, a travel content creator from NYC. If you are considering visiting the world's most sought-after travel destinations and need tips and recommendations or are looking for the latest film reviews, you are in the right place. Join me as I share my passion for cinema and exploration.