The Vasari Corridor: Exploring Florence through the ‘Path of the Prince’

An ‘Aerial Scene’ Celebrating Medici Power

In 1565, Vasari completed a suspended passageway in just five months, a unique architectural feat with no parallel in any other European city. This elevated corridor seamlessly connected the Palazzo Vecchio to the Uffizi, spanning the river and extending through the city to the Palazzo Pitti. 

Commissioned for the wedding of Francis I de' Medici and Joanna of Austria, the passageway reinforced Medici imperial power. Known as the Path of the Prince, it honors Cosimo I de’ Medici, whose political vision and legacy shaped every feature along its route.

The Vasari Corridor: A Monument of Power, Politics and Beauty 

The Vasari Corridor crowns a series of architectural transformations that reshaped Florence, symbolizing the Medici’s consolidation of power. This evolution began in 1537 with Cosimo I de’ Medici’s rise as the second Duke of Florence.

In 1540, Palazzo Vecchio, dominating Florence’s civic square, became the official seat of Cosimo’s court. A bold assertion of his authority and prestige. Soon after, the construction of the Uffizi unified the city’s municipal offices, transforming it into the very heart of Medici power. 

In 1549, Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I, acquired the Palazzo Pitti, a 15th-century villa across the Arno. Extensive renovations followed, including the Palace’s expansion, the creation of a grand courtyard, and the landscaping of the majestic Boboli gardens. Transformed into a symbol of Medici power and refinement, the Palazzo Pitti became the primary residence of the Duke and Duchess.

The Vasari Corridor unified these key sites, merging them into a masterful fusion of architecture and politics that legitimized Cosimo’s rule over a stable, prosperous, and efficient state. Here, power and beauty were inseparable. The corridor itself embodied this dual vision, not only asserting control but also foreshadowing the artistic grandaur of the Uffizi Gallery. 

The Vasari Corridor Today: Preserving its Medici Legacy

More than a mere passage, the Vasari Corridor is a portal through time, transporting visitors nearly 500 years back to its creation. Now restored to its original understated elegance, this plain yet remarkable “aerial tunnel” stretches over 700 meters above the heart of Florence. As in the time of the Medici, it remains a symbol of power and discretion, allowing rulers to move swiftly, securely, and unseen between their residence and the seat of government.

About the Vasari Corridor Tour

Embark on an extraordinary “aerial journey," retracing the exclusive passage once reserved for the Medici family.

• Tour Start: Uffizi Gallery (2 hours) Your ticket to the Vasari Corridor is inclusive of access to the Uffizi Gallery, home to renaissance masterpieces by the Old Masters.

• Vasari Corridor Access (1 hour): Enter the legendary Vasari Corridor from a private entrance on the first floor of the Uffizi. Enjoy breathtaking views of Florence as we cross the Arno River, pass the Ponte Vecchio and continue toward Boboli Gardens and the Pitti Palace.

• Tour End: The journey concludes at the Pitti Palace, in the beautiful Ammanati Courtyard.