The Vasari Corridor is an elevated Renaissance passageway that crosses the heart of Florence, linking Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi with the Pitti Palace. Built by Giorgio Vasari in 1565 for Cosimo I de’ Medici, it allowed the ruling family to travel between their seat of government and their residence without passing through the streets below.
The corridor reveals the architecture of Medici power as well as its practical concerns. Its route bends around the medieval Mannelli tower, crosses the Arno above the Ponte Vecchio and passes through the church of Santa Felicita, where the family could attend services from a private balcony. The walls once displayed a celebrated collection of artists’ self-portraits, now shown elsewhere in the Uffizi.
Visiting the Vasari Corridor is less about seeing a conventional gallery than experiencing Florence from an unusual vantage point. Windows offer glimpses of the river, rooftops and bridge, while the long, enclosed passage gives a sense of how carefully the Medici separated themselves from the city around them.
Check the official Uffizi Galleries website for current opening times, tickets and access arrangements, and book ahead through official channels. Wear comfortable shoes for the walk and allow time to visit the Uffizi as well; the visitor route begins there and ends near the Boboli Gardens.