New Complete Guide Of The Uffizi [antikvár]

HISTORY OF THE UFFIZI Towards the middle of the 16th century, Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici commissioned a building capable of containing all the administrative offices of the grandduchy. It was called «Uffizi» (offices), a name that would remain long after the office building had been turned into a museum. In 1559, Giorgio Vasari, painter, art historian, and one of the most prominent architects and townplanners of his day, received the commission for the project. All the houses on the plot of land between Piazza della Signoria and the Arno River were bought up and the vast area became the building site. Parts of the 11th century church of San Piero Scheraggio were actually incorporated into the structure as it was going up and today remains of the apse are still visible (both outside, along Via della Ninna, and inside the museum). Vasari's plan also included a Vz mile long, covered