Florence’s Hidden 16th-Century Passage Opens to Public After 450 Years.
A secret passageway built for Florence’s ruling Medici family in 1565 has opened to the public for the first time in nearly five centuries.
Known as the Corridoio Vasariano, the 2,460-foot-long corridor links three iconic landmarks — Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Galleries, and Palazzo Pitti — according to CNN.
Commissioned by Cosimo I de’ Medici and designed by Renaissance artist and architect Giorgio Vasari, the passage was constructed in just five months.
It allowed the Medici rulers to move discreetly between their offices at the Uffizi and their residence at Palazzo Pitti, avoiding Florence’s crowded streets. The corridor was exclusively used by the Medici family and their closest aides.
Architecturally impressive, the passage features terracotta bricks, porthole windows offering scenic views of Florence, and 106 steps leading to various parts of the city. Over 1,000 works of art from the 18th century once adorned the corridor.
For years, access to the corridor was limited to private tours with expensive entry fees. However, in 2016, it was closed for safety concerns and underwent an extensive $11.5 million renovation over eight years. Now, visitors can experience the corridor for 43 euros (approximately Rs 3,828), with tickets also granting entry to the renowned Uffizi Galleries.
Simone Verde, the Uffizi Galleries’ director, described the corridor as a “mythical place” and a “parallel city within the city,” highlighting the Medici’s cultural impact on the Renaissance and European history.
Small guided tours of 25 people now allow visitors to explore the passage, offering stunning views of Florence’s skyline, including the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge.
