After nearly two decades of unsightly presence, the crane that marred the skyline of Florence, Italy, is no more. This week, the crane, which stood at a height of 197 feet in front of the prestigious Uffizi Galleries, was dismantled to the delight of locals who had long protested its presence.
Carlo Francini, the city official responsible for Florence's municipal museums, heralded the occasion as "an important day for the city." The enthusiasm was clear in the city's newspapers, with some bluntly announcing, "Goodbye to the crane: the giant beached in front of the Uffizi."
Locals expressed their relief. Architect Giacomo Tempesta, present as the crane was taken down, echoed the sentiment: "We’re all happy. For years it wasn’t possible to take a photograph that didn’t include the crane; it was a cumbersome presence. It was time that they took it down."
The crane was originally erected in 2006 to facilitate the expansion of the Uffizi, which is housed in a historic Medici office building, nurturing an extraordinary collection of art. The museum aimed to enhance its exhibition spaces and improve visitor navigation. While significant progress has been made since then, parts of the expansion project remain underway.
With the crane’s removal, Florence's skyline can once again showcase its majestic Renaissance architecture, inviting both residents and tourists to appreciate the beauty of the city unencumbered by construction visual clutter.
