In 1564, the Vasari Corridor was designed and built in only five months under the order of Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici. It was an enclosed passageway to suit the Grand Duke’s desire to move freely between his residence at Palazzo Pitti and the Palazzo Vecchio, with out being in the public eye.
The Corridor begins on the south side of the Palazzo Vecchio, joining with the Uffizi Gallery then following the north bank of the Arno River. It then crosses the Ponte Vecchio, and finally makes its way over rows of houses to end at Palazzo Pitti, opening up to the beautiful Boboli Gardens. What makes this 750-meter corridor a hidden gem is that it is not open to the general public and tours are quite difficult to obtain.
The tour is truly a unique experience. To many, there is something special about being led through a side door of the Uffizi Gallery as other visitors look on. There is a thrill to experience the same walk to Palazzo Pitti as the Grand Duke, admiring his private art collection displayed along a hidden passage, as the rest of the city goes about their business below you. As if that is not enough, your guide will be sure to educate you on the most important parts of the Corridor and share interesting anecdotes of the famous Medici family.
During high-season (April-October), group tours are available everyday except Monday. The tour is available in English and it begins at 3:30 pm, lasting about three hours. Please note that from November 1 through March 31, this tour is only availbale Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Private tours are also available upon request, and itinerary may be personalized to suit the visitor, however, beginning in February the Uffizi entrance will be closed for maintenance for several weeks. Any visitors must enter and exit throught the Boboli entrance.
To visit the Vasari Corridor and to speak to a tour operator specialized in organizing cultural events, contact Italy Travels by calling (+0039) 005 2670402 or via email at info@italy-travels.it
For more information visit our website www.ticketsflorence.com.