The This one isn't a secret anymore ? in fact, it's one of the most famous things in ? but it certainly was born as one. To be exact, it was built under Duke Cosimo de' Medici as a secret, elevated passageway connecting (then the government headquarters) with Pitti Palace (the duke's residence), allowing the ruler and his family to move freely across town, without having to mix with the populace (the Medici had many enemies, and the risk of assassination was always on their mind). At the same time, with its many small windows, the corridor could be used to secretly monitor the city, from a strategic vantage point and without being noticed.

The corridor begins in Palazzo Vecchio, behind a small unmarked door, and occupies a large portion of what today is the museum.

At this point, the passageway travels above the (the large panoramic windows right in the middle of the bridge are a 1939 addition, ordered by Mussolini to impress Hitler during his official visit to Florence).

Right after the bridge, the passage circles around the Mannelli tower. This awkward solution was made necessary when the tower's owner (yes, Mr. Mannelli) staunchly refused to let his property be affected by the new construction.

Next, the the corridor passes inside the Church of Santa Felicita, forming a balcony designed to allow the family (and especially the pious wife of Grand Finally, the passage flanks the current Via Guicciardini, hidden Duke Cosimo) to attend mass without having to interact with commoners. among other buildings, before forking off into a double exit, one in the , right next to the Grotto of Buontalenti, and the other inside Pitti Palace.

Drawing courtesy of Francesco Corni Galleria dell'Accadem ia This museum houses an extensive collection of artworks, yet 99% of its visitors wait in line (sometimes for hours) just to see a single one. Although copies of Michelangelo's can be admired elsewhere in Florence (the marble replica in , and the smaller bronze one in ), we recommend taking the time to go see the original, if only for that strange and indescribable feeling that sweeps over you when you're in the presence of the world's most famous statue...

Hours: 8:15 am - 6:50 pm Closed on Mondays Adm ission price: museum 8? The Bargello is the oldest surviving public building in Florence, as it was built in 1255 to house the city?s Chief Magistrate. It eventually also served as a prison, and remained the headquarter of Florentine police, in some capacity, until the mid-1800s, when it was transformed into a national museum around the time of the unification of . Its sculpture collection is particularly impressive, and includes universally-renowned masterworks like Michelangelo?s Bacchus and Donat ello?s David. Hours: 8:15 am - 5 pm Closed some Mondays and Sundays (check website) Adm ission price: museum 8? Uffizi Gallery The Uffizi is one of the most famous and most visited museums in the world. Its huge collection (only a fraction of which is actually on display) includes countless masterpiece from the Renaissance and beyond, by the likes of Bot t icelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Tit ian, Caravaggio and Rem brandt . Be advised that a proper visit will take up at least a half-day, if not a full day, and lines to enter can be extremely long. Therefore, we strongly advise to plan your visit well and make advance reservations, in order to make the most of your time.

Hours: 8:15 am - 6:50 pm 8:15 am - 10 pm (June to September) Adm ission price: museum 8-20? (varies by season)