Uffizi: Water Leak Threatens Caravaggio's Bacchus, Director Simone Verde Announces €50 Million Restoration Plan
On 17 September 2026, a storm in Florence caused water to seep through a skylight above the Sala Rossa at the Uffizi Galleries, but Caravaggio's Bacchus remained unharmed. Staff promptly secured the painting, and by 18 September, it had been restored to its original position following repairs to the skylight. The storm also impacted the Bargello, Palazzo Davanzati, and Museo Bardini, with no damage to artworks, and it disrupted visits to the Medici Chapels for two hours. Uffizi Director Simone Verde, who has held the position since early 2024, revealed a €50 million investment for 2025, which includes €12 million for facade and roof restoration and €3.5 million for the Ammannati courtyard. The 'new Uffizi' rooms are expected to be completed by December 2026.
Key facts
- On 17 September 2026, a storm caused water to leak through a skylight onto the protective case of Caravaggio's Bacchus in the Sala Rossa at the Uffizi.
- The painting was unharmed and returned to its place by 18 September after emergency work on the skylight.
- The same storm caused infiltrations at the Bargello, Palazzo Davanzati, and Museo Bardini, and interrupted visits at the Medici Chapels for about two hours.
- Director Simone Verde announced €50 million in restoration and redevelopment works for 2025 across the Uffizi complex, Palazzo Pitti, and Boboli Gardens.
- The Scalone Lorenese reopened in March 2026 after eight years of closure and structural consolidation.
- €12 million is allocated for facade and roof restoration, with BIM design entrusted in collaboration with the Sovrintendenza of Pisa.
- €3.5 million has been allocated for interventions in the Ammannati courtyard at Palazzo Pitti.
- The 'new Uffizi' rooms are expected to be delivered by December 2026 and installed in early 2027, where the Bacchus will be moved.
Entities
Artists
- Caravaggio
- Simone Verde
- Livia Montagnoli
- Roberto Longhi
- Matteo Marangoni
- Sandro Botticelli
- Titian
- Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte
- Grand Duke Ferdinando I of Tuscany
- Silvia Barlacchi
Institutions
- Uffizi Galleries
- Ministero della Cultura
- Bargello
- Palazzo Davanzati
- Museo Bardini
- Medici Chapels
- Vatican Museums
- Sovrintendenza di Pisa
- Artribune
- Uffizi Gallery
- Pitti Palace
- Medici collection
- Artlyst
- Palazzo Pitti
- Palatine Gallery
- Gallery of Modern Art
- Corriere della Sera
- Cisl
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- Palazzo Pitti
- Boboli Gardens
- Sala Rossa
- Salone del Fiorino
- Scalone Lorenese
- Ammannati courtyard
- Pisa
- Vatican
- Tuscany
Sources
- ArtsJournal —
- Artribune —
- Artlyst —