'Secret' Vasari Corridor To Reopen Soon

Florence is a city where you can lose yourself if you are an art lover. And here is some more good news for you To be soon reopened to the public after nearly two years, the Vasari Corridor in Florence is a fabulous depiction of the evolution of art over the centuries. Dating all the way to the Middle Ages, the construction was completed in the 16th century to honour Duke Cosimo I de' Medici's desire to move freely between his residential home and the government palace because he felt insecure in public.

The corridor passes over several symbolic locations. One can observe a series of panoramic windows facing the spectacular river Arno. As you walk through the expanse of the corridor, you'll pass through the church of Santa Felicita. Finally, if you happen to be an art fanatic, this is exactly what you have been waiting for - the Uffizi Gallery.

There are over a 1000 paintings here with some being described as a treat for the eyes. Self-portraits done by incredible artists like Rembrandt and Raphael show up on the walls of the Vasari Corridor. Some paintings, you might notice, are damaged but still hang on the walls at this majestic location. These pieces were mutilated in the 1993 bombing by the Italian mafia and are kept to serve as a reminder of that day.

The corridor, while open, will also go through some major revamp with extensive renovations plans scheduled over the next 18 months. So, get ready to explore your artistic side at this Italian art-land.