Itinerary: Secret Florence
Starting point: Uffizzi Gallery
Following stages: Vasari Corridor, Torrigiani Garden
Through this path, you will see two of the most charming and mysterious places in Florence and you will discover the secrets of the House of the Medici family and of the Masonic esotericism.
1
Uffizzi gallery
The itinerary begins from the Uffizzi Gallery, which is defined as the best collection of Renaissance artwork in the world; here it is possible to admire works of art by Raffaello, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Cimabue, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Giotto and Tiziano. An art gallery of the greatest value.
Vasari corridor
2
It is within the Uffizzi gallery that the itinerary for Secret Florence begins. The entrance for the Vasari Corridor is behind an unmarked door on the first floor of the gallery. The Vasari Corridor is a 1-km long passageway that connects the Uffizzi Gallery with the Palazzo Pitti. It was initially built in order to make it possible for the Medici to move freely in Florence; nowadays it is an hidden treasure within the city centre. In a very silent and surreal environment, it will be possible to look at an unique collection of artists’ self-portraits started by Cardinal Leopoldo de’ Medici in the 17th century. After some steps inside the Corridor, you will reach an area that was strongly damaged by a terrorist attack commissioned by the Italian mafia in 1993 in Via dei Georgofili. Then, you will admire some of the most beautiful areas of Florence city centre, thanks to the small round windows that look out to the Arno river and to the city centre.
3
Boboli garden and Torrigiani garden
The path inside the Vasari Corridor ends at the magnificent Boboli garden, historical park of Florence. After a quick visit, after a 900 meters walk, you will reach the second step of your itinerary: the Torrigiani garden, the largest privately owned garden in Europe situated within city boundaries.
Here the atmosphere will become more mysterious, since the garden owns many symbols of an esoteric nature. The design of the garden was commissioned by the Marquis Pietro Torrigiani to the architect Luigi de Cambray Digny. Both were affiliates of the Masonry and this is why, besides admiring an unique romantic park in the English style, you will be lead on a journey through the Masonic symbols. You will admire an impressive statue of Osiris, Merlin’s Grotto, the small amphitheater and the gymnasium. The second part of the route will lead you in a dark little wood which symbolizes night and death: you will visit the Romitario, the ossuary and the symbolic sculpture of the urn with the snake.
Torrino
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The visit will ends in front of the Torrino which is about 22m high, built in 1824 by Gaetano Baccani. The tower is composed of tree levels symbolizing the three steps of the initiation process from the profane to the Masonic world.
During your visit at the Torrigiani garden, you will admire its extraordinary botanical wealth: the old greenhouses, the cover lemon houses and plant species from all part of the globe.
Both visits require reservation: for the Vasari corridor you can book online (www.uffizi.com/galleria-degli-uffizi/corridoio-vasariano.asp) whereas for the Torrigiani garden it is necessary to contact one of the owners who will personally guide the visitors (055 224527).