The Vasari Corridor

The Vasari Corridor, created by Giorgio Vasari at the request of Grand Duke Cosimo I on the occasion of the marriage of his son Francesco with Giovanna of Austria in 1565, is a raised path that connects the Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti. Born to give the possibility to the Grand Dukes to move safely from their residence to the government palace, was later converted into a museum at the behest of the family Lorraine, in 1939 even Adolf Hitler was among its guests, along with Benito Mussolini, who visited it during his visit to Italy.

During World War II it was utilized by the partisans as the only connection between the two parts of Florence, divided because of the Nazi destruction of all the bridges except the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. The Vasari Corridor is now home to a vast collection of portraits of artists from around the world who, after staying in Florence and being amazed at the beauty of the Renaissance, decided to give the city and the citizens a work of art to portray their best expression. For security reasons and preservation of the works, the Vasari Corridor has long been closed to the public, nowadays it can be visited only on request, it is mandatory to be accompanied by an accredited tour guide.