Uffizi Director Schmidt Signs Pact to Support Florence's National Archaeological Museum

The Uffizi Galleries and the National Archaeological Museum of Florence have signed a five-year agreement, the 'Patto per l'Archeologia,' aimed at enhancing the archaeological museum. Starting March 1, every ticket purchased for the Uffizi will include free entry to the Archaeological Museum. The Uffizi will transfer 2.5% of its ticket revenue—approximately €500,000 annually—to the Archaeological Museum for restorations, architectural work, exhibitions, and research. The two institutions will also collaborate on research projects, conferences, and exhibitions. Uffizi director Eike Schmidt described the pact as a synergy to promote Florence's museum heritage, not merely an act of solidarity. The agreement is renewable and seeks to redirect tourist flows from the Roman quadrilateral to the Santissima Annunziata district, benefiting nearby museums like the Museo degli Innocenti, Museo di San Marco, and Museo della Sinagoga. The pact also highlights the historical connection between the Uffizi and archaeology, as the Uffizi's origins lie in ancient marble collections from the Medici era. In the late 19th century, masterpieces such as the Chimera, the Arringatore, and the Vaso François were transferred to the Archaeological Museum.