The Vasari Corridor Experience

Enjoy a Unique Tour Combining the Medici Family with Architecture, History and the Unconventional Oltrarno Neighbourhood

Get ready for a tour discovering the powerful Medici, the great architecture sponsored by them, exploring an unconventional historic building that still connects all the most scenographic landmarks of Florence.

The tour starts at the Uffizi Galleries, where we enter the Vasari Corridor, former Medicis’ private passageway intended for protecting the family from inner enemies and at the same time, showing commoners their higher social status.

The Corridor and its Architect

In 1565 genious architect Giorgio Vasari conceived an unusual building that could have never existed in Republican times: a private passageway running above ground granting the Medici the prestige and safety they had always wanted. 

The Corridor was built to connect the Signoria Palace with the Pitti Palace, the Renaissance palace purchased by Eleonora of Toledo, Cosimo’s I wealthy wife. 

It was meant to be the most innovative project  ever seen in Florence, an ambitious long and narrow pathway showing the greatness of Cosimo I. He would easily move through it without an armed escort and in case of danger it would be the easiest way to escape the city.

An unconventional structure appeared just after 5 months, at the right time for the celebrations of Cosimo’s son wedding, a political event that created a strong bond with the mighty Hapsburg dynasty.

Cosimo I Grand-Duke of Florence and Vasari had a long and very productive art affair, yet problematic sometimes for the multi-talented artist from Arezzo.

Cosimo I Grand-Duke of Florence as Patron of the Arts

Vasari incessantly worked for Cosimo I, modernising the interiors of the Signoria Palace and the churches of Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella, writing also his most famous literary work, the Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects. In his dedication to Cosimo I, he said his aim was to show how in your state, nay, in your most blessed house the arts were born anew.

Florence and its Unconventional Perspectives

Explore Florentine hidden gems and medieval towers like Cosimo I did, walking through them without being seen from the outside by curious people.

The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is just one of the must-see sights of this tour: walking through the passageway from up high, we can savor the famous medieval bridge and the Arno river in a completely different way. 

We will see the inside of the church of Santa Felicita, where the Medici could assist the religious celebration in their own private chapel incognito. 

The Vasari Corridor tour ends at the majestic Pitti Palace, the residence the Medici had in the Oltrarno neighbourhood that for a very long time was a no man’s land on the wrong side of the Arno river.

The Tour and its Multiple Variations

This tour is extremely flexible and can be adjusted according to your interests and pace. The Uffizi Gallery and its Renaissance masterpieces can be easily included, making the whole experience even more interesting, creating a deeper dialogue between Renaissance icons and high-Renaissance architecture.

If you love the giardino all’italiana (Italian style garden), the tour can be enriched with the visit of Boboli Gardens, immersing yourself in the inspiring convergeance between art and nature.

For the fashion lovers out there, the newly restored Fashion and Costume Gallery of the Pitti Palace can give you the opportunity to go through a fashion journey enjoying classic and unconventional dresses and accessories.

Dive into luxury craftsmanship, discover unexpected art studios and unique local boutiques, all nestled in the creative Oltrarno, definitely locals as well as tourists favorite neighbourhood.