New entrance to the Palazzo Pitti palace

The palace of Palazzo Pitti has a new entrance from today. With the new structure, the visitor entrance has been moved together with the metal detector control formalities from the traditional central door to the door located on the right of the facade overlooking Piazza Pitti, near the ticket office; the exit, however, takes place through the central door. A solution, explains the director of the Uffizi Galleries, Simone Verde, which allows entry and exit flows to be clearly separated, making access management more rational and dedicating a finally closed and air-conditioned space to workers for control operations. The project was conceived and implemented, therefore, not only to improve the orientation of visitors, but above all to improve the well-being of workers and restore full legibility to the historical spaces of the complex, primarily the courtyard of Bartolomeo Ammannati, finally cleared of barriers and metal detectors and appreciable in all its splendor.

The project, promoted by the Uffizi Galleries as part of the vast program of redevelopment and valorisation of the former grand ducal residence, now home to numerous museums, represents a decisive step in the reorganization of access to one of the most important cultural centers in the world, an integral part of the UNESCO site of the historic center of Florence.

The heart of the intervention is the new reception and control system created inside the vestibule. All measures were conceived according to criteria of reversibility and minimal visual impact, integrating discreetly into the historic environments of Palazzo Pitti and preserving its artistic and architectural value.

Among the most significant results of the operation, the restoration of the Ammannati Courtyard to its full monumental dignity is certainly worth mentioning. The removal of the control stations previously located under the loggia eliminates elements extraneous to the perception of the historical space, improving the image of the institute and allowing correct use of the architecture of the palace. The project also responds to the needs that have emerged in recent years regarding the safety and protection of workers, guaranteeing the operators responsible for controls closed, air-conditioned environments that fully comply with current regulations, overcoming critical issues reported several times in the past.

The intervention constitutes a further step forward in the renewal process of Palazzo Pitti. With this operation, the Uffizi Galleries confirm their commitment to combining workers’ well-being, functionality and valorisation of the historical heritage, simultaneously placing the visitor’s experience and the quality of the reception spaces at the centre.

The director of the Uffizi Galleries Simone Verde states: “A project desired since the 1980s and never realized until now is finally being realised: that of moving the entrance of the Pitti Palace to the southern door, in order to distinguish entrances and exits of the Palace with a clear advantage for safety in the event of an exodus, clearing the courtyard of the opprobrium of the inspection systems, the related cables, the monitors and all the instrumentation previously encamped in that monumental space, but above all – and most importantly – allowing the workers of the safety of operating indoors and not outdoors as in the past, exposed to the windy winter cold and the scorching summer heat, leading to a progress of civilization”. (by Paolo Martini)