Designed as a building for the offices – or uffizi – of the Florentine magistrates, the structure grew to house the stunning collection of art amassed by the wealthy Medici family. Overlooking the Arno River, the gallery is as picturesque as the many paintings hanging on its walls. You’ll learn about its turbulent history including a mafia car bomb and severe flooding that threatened the artwork. The Uffizi has undergone extensive modernization through the early 21st century, making it a world-class museum. More than 100 rooms highlighting the best of Italian art from names like Titian and Caravaggio. Discover these Renaissance works and the artists behind them, like Raphael’s “Self Portrait.” See the most famous paintings like Botticelli’s “Primavera” or his stunning “Birth of Venus,” a work that has become a cultural icon over the past few hundred years. No trip to Florence is complete without a jaunt through the Uffizi, and our guide will ensure you see the best bits.