Unveiled public access to hidden corridor within a renowned Italian urban landscape for the initial time.
For the first time ever, history has rubbed shoulders with the present as the Vasariano Corridor, or Corridoio Vasariano, welcomes the masses.
This isn't your typical corridor, oh no. Picture a secret passageway, slithering through the heart of Florence, spanning an impressive 750 meters (2,460 feet). Architect and artist Giorgio Vasari crafted this hidden gem for the powerful Medici dynasty in 1565.
The construction took place in a mere five months, completed for Cosimo I de’ Medici, and served as a private pathway connecting Florence's legendary landmarks. These include the Palazzo Vecchio, known as the city's political hub, the Uffizi Galleries, formerly the rulers' offices, and the majestic Palazzo Pitti, where the Medici family resided. By negotiating this clandestine trail, the Royals could travel from home to office without being disturbed by the general public or the threat of enemies.
Now, the corridor functions as a discreet, secluded route through Florence's most renowned locales, offering breathtaking views to lucky explorers, while avoiding the human jams outside. As the Ponte Vecchio teems with crowds, anyone within the corridor glides above them, enjoying the very same panoramic views, untainted by chaos.
The corridor's beauty is attributed to its elevated location, running atop buildings, towers, and even the Ponte Vecchio itself.
Further down the line, the Uffizi to Boboli Gardens section of the corridor opened to the public for the very first time on Friday. For centuries, this space had been the private playground of Tuscany's Grand Dukes — even their staff wasn't permitted admission. While exclusive access used to come at a steep price, health and safety concerns led to its closure in 2016. Now, ticket buyers will traverse the corridor in groups of 25, punctuated with photo ops.
The journey from the Uffizi's second floor to the Boboli Gardens involves a descent of 106 steps, with lifts accommodating those with disabilities. Visitors will explore the corridor, starting from the Uffizi's frescoed, high-ceilinged chamber, descending once more to discover the cordoned-off walkway. The path is paved with terracotta bricks, featuring porthole windows on the right, offering glimpses of the streets below, and large square windows every four feet, offering a bird's eye view of the Arno River.
The corridor then takes you along the Ponte Vecchio, revealing panoramic windows by the midway mark, which were added by dictator Benito Mussolini. Mussolini had a special guest in mind, Adolf Hitler, who Hitler spared the Ponte Vecchio and its unique charm during World War II. Proceeding down the corridor, explorers will encounter a medieval tower, the eaves of a church, and the Boboli Gardens, eventually arriving at Palazzo Pitti.
Visitors will then be led through Palazzo Pitti, to explore the Palace alone, or leave via the grand courtyard. The descent features a total of 106 steps, with no obligatory climb back, while lifts are available for the disabled.
"A Voyage Through the Eyes of the Nobility"
Uffizi director Simone Verde stated to CNN that the corridor was a legendary enigma for the Western world, exclusively accessible to a select few. He considered it the pivot point of the Medici's "citadel" within Florence, a "parallel city within the city."
He highlighted that the corridor's construction was an innovative expression of the Medici's political vision, embodying the importance of culture in their political agenda. "The cultural element of government was new to the Renaissance," he stated, "The art created here drove the inspiration for all modern European courts." In his view, the revamped corridor is more than a breathtaking destination, it's a portal to a vision of the world.
During its blooming period, the corridor housed over 1,000 artworks from the 18th century onwards, including a vast self-portrait collection. However, today, the walls are bare, evoking the feel of the original 1500s corridor. Verde hinted at the possibility of displaying some of these collections at some future date.
For the time being, visitors will marvel at the city's vistas, exploring the angles only the elite have ever viewed — peering into hotel windows, strolling above the throngs on the Ponte Vecchio, and spying into the church of Santa Felicita, unseen by the masses, just like the Medici once did.
Regrettably, there are no explainer panels or guided tours, so an in-depth understanding requires prior research.
Tickets cost awesomely affordable 43 euros ($45) for gallery and corridor access, allocated for a two-hour gallery exploration, followed by the corridor tour (ensure your time is well spent – no revisits are allowed). An alternate option is a 20-euro ($21) add-on, available for those who've already purchased Uffizi tickets (subject to availability). Free entry is offered to the corridor on the first Sunday of each month, though reservations for the next few months are already fully booked.
After the corridor's public opening, the local news has been abuzz with travel enthusiasts sharing their experiences. This secret passageway offers a unique perspective of Florence, allowing visitors to bypass the crowded streets and view the city from an elevated vantage point.
