The Galleria degli Uffizi is one of the most important museums in Florence and also the most visited. In 1560 architect Giorgio Vasari began the Uffizi palace, during a time when Cosimo de’ Medici was consolidating his recent takeover of power. The palace is built in the shape of a horse shoe and its original purpose was to house the administrative offices of the Grand Duchy. The only rooms that were meant to actually house works of art were a few rooms set aside on the third floor; they were to house the finest works of their collection. The gallery was later expanded by various members of the Medici family. It was not until 1737 that the palace and its collection were left to the city by the last Medici heir Anna Maria Luisa. Today it houses one of the world’s greatest art collections and is visited by people from all over the world. The Uffizi has 45 rooms that contain works of art from as far back as the 13th century and leads up to the 18th century. It also contains works of art from many different places including Italy, Germany, Spain, and Holland. Some notable works of art housed in the Uffizi are Botticelli’s Primavera and Birth of Venus, Filipino Lippi’s Madonna and Child with Two Angels, and Titan’s Venus of Urbino.
"- Uffizi Gallery -." ItalyGuides.it: The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria Degli Uffizi), Florence Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013.
"Uffizi Gallery." : Galleria Degli Uffizi in Florence, Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013.
"- Uffizi Gallery -." ItalyGuides.it: The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria Degli Uffizi), Florence Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013.
"Uffizi Gallery." : Galleria Degli Uffizi in Florence, Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013.