Galleria degli Uffizi

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Lonely Planet review

Designed and built by Vasari in the second half of the 16th century at the request of Cosimo I de' Medici, the Palazzo degli Uffizi, originally housed the city's administrators, judiciary and guilds. It now houses the world's single greatest collection of Italian and Florentine art. Be warned, if you don't book ahead you could be queuing for literally hours.

Vasari designed the private corridor, Corridoio Vasariano, linking Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti, through the Uffizi and across the Ponte Vecchio. Cosimo I's successor, Francesco I, commissioned the architect Buontalenti to modify the upper floor of the Palazzo degli Uffizi to house the Medicis' growing art collection. Thus, indirectly, the first steps were taken to turn it into an art gallery. It was opened to selected public visits in 1591 - making it one of Europe's first functioning museums. Francesco also had a roof garden created - now a cafeteria.