Uffizi: Renovated (!)

| a story worth tracking for the duration of the
| project.

A controversial rebirth for Renaissance treasure house
Richard Owen in Rome

Giant cranes move into place tomorrow at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence 
to begin work on a €30 million (£20 million) plan to increase exhibition 
space at one of the world’s foremost treasure houses of art.
The extension scheme, which will last between four and five years, 
envisages demolishing the remains of a medieval church where Dante and 
Boccaccio are said to have preached.

The project will increase space at the Uffizi from 8,100sq m (87,000sq 
ft) to 12,900sq m. Italian culture ministry officials insist that the 
gallery can no longer cope with its two million visitors a year.

New space is being carved out of the first floor of the building, 
formerly occupied by the Florence city archives, as well as below the 
two wings. The roof is to be replaced by a glass superstructure, 
allowing daylight into overcrowded and badly lit exhibition rooms.

cont'd....
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2550991,00.html