The Terrace of the Maps at the Uffizi reopens to the public after 20 years

On December 14, 2021, after more than twenty years of closure, the Terrace of the Maps at the Uffizi reopened to the public. This space, originally designed by Giorgio Vasari as an open loggia with a panoramic view of Florence, was transformed at the end of the 16th century under the will of Ferdinando I de’ Medici. The Grand Duke commissioned the cartographer Stefano Bonsignori to create updated maps of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, which were later painted on the walls by Ludovico Buti.

Completely restored, thanks to the contribution of the Friends of the Uffizi Galleries, the room desired by Ferdinando I de’ Medici to glorify the power of the family in the 16th century now shines once again, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history and geography of Tuscany during that period.

The walls of the terrace feature detailed representations of the Tuscan territories of the time, with around 1,200 toponyms written in golden letters. The coffered ceiling, created by Jacopo Zucchi, is decorated with mythological and allegorical motifs of classical origin. Completing the space is a precious hard-stone floor depicting the port of Livorno, created by Cristofano Gaffurri based on a design by Jacopo Ligozzi.

The restoration, which took approximately two years, involved recovering the colors of the mural paintings, restoring the wooden structures and the ceiling paintings, as well as recreating the terracotta flooring according to the original 16th-century design. The work was carried out by the Uffizi Galleries in collaboration with the Opificio delle Pietre Dure and with the support of the Friends of the Uffizi Galleries.

To ensure an optimal visit and avoid overcrowding, access to the room is regulated by a computerized system, allowing entry for a maximum of twenty people at a time.

The reopening of the Terrace of the Maps represents an important opportunity for visitors to admire a space that celebrates the history and geography of Tuscany, while also offering a privileged view of the city of Florence.