After nearly two decades of towering above the Uffizi Galleries and photobombing millions of tourists, the crane in Piazza della Signoria is (allegedly) leaving town. Yes, that crane. The one that’s been perched like a stubborn modern monument above the most Renaissance-rich square in Florence. The skyline may finally change—for real this time.
As reported by Il Fatto Quotidiano, the crane that has loomed over the city center since 2006 is set to be dismantled by June 2025. The cost of its long-awaited removal? A modest €400,000—roughly the price of a small apartment in the historic center (without a view of a crane, hopefully).
It’s hard to imagine Florence without it. Locals, art historians, and digital influencers alike have come to accept the crane as part of the city’s aesthetic. Some even embraced it, like the satirical Facebook group gruinflorence, whose love-hate relationship with the structure gave it unexpected cult status.
Installed as part of the ambitious “Nuovi Uffizi” renovation project, the crane was supposed to serve its purpose in less than five years. Instead, it stayed through five legislatures, nine governments, ten culture ministers, four superintendents, and two directors of the Uffizi. It outlasted trends, hashtags, and perhaps even a few relationships.
The crane’s departure now signals more than just the progress of a construction site—it marks the (hopeful) end of a bureaucratic epic that has tested the patience of professionals and passersby alike. According to Il Fatto, the removal is finally moving forward because the companies working on the Uffizi renovations have struck a deal with the state, shaving €100,000 off a previous quote and greenlighting the logistical feat.
Once gone, the crane will leave behind a clearer view of the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Arno skyline, and of course, the long memory of a work-in-progress that became something of a local legend.
Still, before we celebrate, a word of caution: announcements about the crane’s removal have been made before—only to vanish like scaffolding in the fog. So let’s just say it’s not over until the last bolt is loaded onto a truck and Piazza della Signoria returns to its pre-2006 silhouette.
Until then, get your farewell selfies ready. The crane that came, stayed, and conquered Florence’s skyline might finally be on its way out. Maybe