After almost two decades, the iconic skyline of Florence is set to return to its original beauty. The director of the Uffizi Galleries, Simone Verde, has officially confirmed that the large tower crane located in the square behind the Uffizi will be dismantled in the coming weeks.
In an interview with La Nazione, Verde explained that the crane, installed in 2006 as part of the museum’s expansion project, has long been oversized and no longer necessary for the ongoing work. The crane, often visible in tourist photographs from Ponte Vecchio to Piazza della Signoria, had become an unwanted landmark in the city’s skyline.
Florence Daily News had already anticipated this announcement in a recent article, reporting on the news first published by Il Fatto Quotidiano. Now, the confirmation has arrived directly from the museum’s leadership. The crane will be replaced by a zero-impact freight elevator, allowing the construction to continue without compromising the cityscape. The dismantling process, according to Verde, will take about fifty days.
The operation is made possible thanks to a collective sponsorship from several Florence-based entrepreneurs and organizations, including Stefano Ricci, Leonardo Bassilichi, Giorgio Moretti, Stefano Gabrielli, Elisabetta Fabri, Marco Carrai, Confindustria Firenze, Enic, and Fondazione CR Firenze. The group contributed around 180,000 euros to support the removal.
Verde described the project as a “symbolic moment for the city,” marking the end of what he called an “embarrassing page” in the museum’s history. He stressed the importance of maintaining an efficient and well-managed public institution like the Uffizi, not only as a cultural landmark but also as a symbol of national pride and operational excellence.
Florence Mayor Sara Funaro also welcomed the news with great satisfaction, calling it “an important step for the city’s image and identity.” She thanked Verde for his commitment and for setting a clear timeline to achieve the goal. “After almost twenty years, Florence can finally reclaim its skyline,” Funaro stated, emphasizing the administration’s willingness to continue collaborating with the museum.
The dismantling will be marked by a public ceremony, turning the removal of the crane into a moment of civic celebration for Florence and its residents.
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