Florence’s Uffizi Gallery has been thrown into chaos by the city’s record-breaking heatwave, after its air conditioning gave out on Wednesday amid what management called “the presence of so many tourists and the high temperatures."
The breakdown happened on Wednesday, which was the date of San Giovanni, Florence’s patron saint’s day and a public holiday – meaning the gallery was at its busiest and repair crews were harder to reach.
Average temperatures across the galleries reached 28°C, with one room registering 33°C, Corriere della Sera reported.
The museum insisted there had been “no problems affecting people or artworks,” though not everyone agreed.
One reader who was there on Saturday told The Local: “It was already like an oven. I’d hate to know how much worse it got before they closed.”
Are tickets still available?
The gallery’s management announced that until Sunday, June 28th inclusive, “access to the Uffizi will only be permitted to those holding an existing reservation,” citing “the exceptional heatwave affecting the country and Florence in particular.”
Capacity has been cut to 50 percent, and no new tickets are on sale for the duration.
On Wednesday, queues from visitors who hadn’t got the message stretched the length of Piazzale degli Uffizi and as far as Palazzo Vecchio, around 300 metres away on Piazza della Signoria, Corriere Fiorentino reported.
The museum says online sales may resume from Monday, June 30th if conditions allow – check the Uffizi website directly before making plans.
What if I already have a reservation?
Your booking remains valid and the museum’s official notice confirms you are guaranteed entry, should you wish to go.
It is also worth knowing that Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens are both open as normal, so there are alternatives if you decide the Uffizi is not worth the risk this weekend.
What about the heat outside?
The health ministry has issued more red alerts for Florence through at least Sunday, with temperatures forecast to reach at least 39°C on both Saturday and Sunday – which would make nine consecutive days at maximum alert level for the Tuscan capital.
READ ALSO: When will Italy's 'longest ever' heatwave end?
“With temperatures this extreme, unfortunately there have been disruptions,” Mayor Sara Funaro said on Thursday, adding that the city was monitoring all public buildings and staying in contact with energy providers.
Anyone planning to queue outside – on the off-chance of getting in, or simply waiting for a timed entry – should bear in mind that queues are still forming outside every day.
Can I get a refund for my ticket?
Consumer group Codacons called for refunds for all visitors who experienced heat-related disruption or were unable to enter the museum this week despite holding valid tickets.
It is not yet clear what the museum is planning to do, but you can contact management via the Uffizi website.
Will the problem be fixed soon?
Technicians have made progress on cooling the museum since Wednesday, but temperatures in Florence are set to approach 40°C again through the weekend, and it’s not clear when a permanent fix will be in place.
The museum said that a full overhaul of its ageing climate control system was already scheduled to go before the board of directors, but the heatwave forced the issue sooner than expected. Although many are now asking why this was not dealt with ahead of the summer season.
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