The permanent exhibition of the Uffizi, on the ground floor of Palazzo Pitti, presents for the first time a unique historical collection of 78 Russian icons, which was formed during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was collected in Florence by representatives of the Medici dynasty, as well as the Lorraine dynasty.

This is the oldest collection of Russian icons in the world outside of Russia, which was opened today by the director of the Uffizi, Aike Schmidt.

"This is a big step towards the opening to the public of all the frescoed rooms on the ground floor of the Palazzo Pitti," said Schmidt, who in a recent interview recalled that Fyodor Dostoevsky lived a stone's throw from the Palazzo Pitti and "visited the gallery almost every day."

According to the Ambassador of Russia to Italy, Sergei Razov, the permanent exhibition of Russian icons in the Palazzo Pitti is the most important event for the "intensive dialogue in the field of culture" between Russia and Italy.

bbabo.Net