First Stop: Florence!

By Samm Carbone

For our first day in Florence, we were given free time to explore, and there were an overwhelming number of opportunities to experience the rich culture of the city. Ultimately, I decided to visit the Uffizi gallery as it is one of the most well-known galleries in the world and hard to miss right next to the Piazza Della Signoria. Originally commissioned by the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I de Medici, the elegant building designed by Giorgio Vasari was initially intended to house the administrative and legal offices of Florence. Its U-shaped structure along the Arno River was constructed from 1560-1580.

Over time, sections of the building were designated to house sculptures and collections of art that belonged to the Medici family. And now, is open to and appreciated by the public for its vast collections of original paintings by legendary Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, etc., and its long corridors lined with ancient Roman copies of lost Greek sculptures.

Birth of Venus, by Sandro Botticelli

Once entering, you go through a maze of basement rooms that are basically empty. Finally, you enter the exhibit rooms which display many magnificent sculptures and paintings, and it was easy to get lost in the art through the different rooms. Everywhere you look is a work of art, especially when you look up. The intricate ceilings were my favorite part of the museum. Inspired by the style of artist Raphael, the detailed and colorful images leave no space untouched and bring the rooms to life. Walking through the halls of the Uffizi, it feels like walking through time as if the Renaissance era was frozen in the artwork. Human expressions and feelings are perfectly preserved in the marble sculptures and the elegance and beauty encapsulate the overall vibe felt throughout the culturally rich city of Florence.