Anyone who loves Florence knows the allure of the Vasari Corridor — the elevated passageway connecting Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, weaving silently through the Uffizi Gallery, across the Ponte Vecchio, and into the Oltrarno district. Once reserved for the private use of the Medici family, the corridor has recently reopened to the public with a renewed proposal: evening guided tours and an entirely new exhibition that promises to enchant even the most experienced art lovers.

A curated experience that combines beauty and historical memory

One of the most striking aspects of the new itinerary is the presence of a prestigious collection of fifty ancient Greco-Roman busts. These striking portraits depict figures who shaped classical thought and imperial history: intellectuals like Cicero, emperors such as Augustus, Antoninus Pius, and Commodus, and empresses like Sabina, wife of Hadrian, and Faustina, wife of Antoninus Pius.

These sculptures — masterpieces of Roman portraiture — were once displayed in the main corridors of the Uffizi Gallery. In 1993, they were removed to make room for a restoration of the museum’s layout based on 18th-century visual and archival sources. Many of the busts had been acquired in the 1700s by Luigi Lanzi, a prominent scholar and deputy director of the Uffizi, who sought to expand the Medici collection of imperial antiquities.

Now, these works return to public view, enriching the corridor that once connected the Medici’s royal residence to the heart of government. Their presence goes beyond mere decoration — it represents a significant cultural restitution, allowing visitors to experience a curated selection of Roman portraits that once placed the Uffizi on par with institutions like the Capitoline Museums in Rome.

Evening visits: where art meets the magic of sunset

Exploring the corridor in the evening adds an intimate and almost theatrical dimension to the experience. The soft lighting, the peaceful silence, the view over the Arno at dusk, and the close proximity to ancient works of art create an atmosphere that is both profoundly moving and unforgettable. It is a journey through history, taken slowly, and in the company of timeless beauty.

An invitation from Antica Torre Tornabuoni

At Antica Torre Tornabuoni, we feel a deep connection to the Vasari Corridor — not only because of our proximity (some of our terraces offer glimpses of the very route), but because we share its values: the protection of heritage, a passion for art, and a desire to offer meaningful cultural experiences.

We wholeheartedly recommend this visit to our guests. It’s more than a tour — it’s a chance to engage with the soul of Florence, to slow down and let beauty speak.

For those staying with us, every walk becomes a discovery, and every moment is enriched by history. The Vasari Corridor, with its gallery of immortal faces, is a poetic invitation to look at time with new eyes.

Florence is a story carved in stone — and here at Antica Torre Tornabuoni, we are honored to welcome you into the heart of that story.