Uffizi extends evening hours and introduces digital ticketing under new director Simone Verde

Simone Verde, the new director of the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, announced a series of initiatives to improve museum accessibility. Starting March 26 through December 17, the Galleria delle Statue e delle Pitture will remain open every Tuesday evening from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, totaling 39 evening openings. Verde emphasized that this aligns the Uffizi with other major museums offering sunset access. Additionally, the museum will open on four Mondays (normally closed): April 1, April 29, June 24 (Feast of St. John, patron saint of Florence), and December 30. The Giardino di Boboli will also be open on those days. A digital ticketing system will be introduced in May, allowing visitors to purchase tickets online and use a QR code for entry across the entire museum complex, including the Corridoio Vasariano, the Galleries, the Giardino di Boboli, and Palazzo Pitti. The digital ticket initiative, developed in collaboration with Opera Laboratori Fiorentini, aims to reduce queues and improve visitor flow. IT official Gianluca Ciccardi noted that data collection from the system will further enhance accessibility. Verde also addressed copyright management, acknowledging the need for a centralized solution from the Ministry, but stated that the Uffizi will follow ministerial guidelines. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Auditorium Antonio Paolucci, named after the late former director who passed away on February 4.