Corridoio Vasariano Opens for Night Tours with New Roman Bust Exhibition – Book Your Tickets Now

Evening Magic & Roman Faces: What’s New in the Corridoio Vasariano

Florence’s legendary Corridoio Vasariano—once a secret passage for Medici rulers—is finally open for nighttime tours. Starting July 4, 2025, visitors can explore this iconic elevated corridor every Friday from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (last entry at 9:50 PM), in an exclusive evening experience that runs through December 26. The corridor will only close on August 15.

These special evening visits are available only by guided tour, and tickets must be reserved in advance. Each tour lasts about 35 to 45 minutes and is limited to small groups, offering an intimate, atmospheric way to discover one of Florence’s most iconic hidden gems. Tickets cost €20 (full) or €2 for EU visitors aged 18–25, and include just the Corridoio—no Uffizi ticket required. The meeting point is at the Uffizi Gallery, and visitors should arrive 10 minutes early.

Walking the corridor at night, above the Arno and through softly lit historic hallways, is an experience in itself—but there’s even more to discover now.

A New Chapter: Roman Busts Return to the Corridor

The Corridoio Vasariano has recently welcomed a remarkable new permanent exhibition: over 50 Roman imperial busts, many of which were stored away for decades and have now been beautifully restored and installed along the corridor walls.

These sculptures, dating from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE, represent some of the most iconic figures from Roman history—including Cicero, Augustus, Antoninus Pius, Commodus, and empresses like Sabina and Faustina. Some pieces are stunning copies of renowned Roman statuary, such as the "Augustus of Prima Porta."

Beyond their artistic value, these busts offer a powerful look at the evolution of Roman portraiture—from the austere realism of the Republic to the idealized imagery of the early Empire. Collected in the 18th century by Luigi Lanzi for the Medici, these works had long been hidden from public view and are now finally on display where visitors can appreciate their full historic and aesthetic impact.

Together, the night tours and this new exhibition mark a fresh chapter for the Corridoio Vasariano—reimagining this historic space not just as a passage between palaces, but as a walk through time, art, and empire.

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