One of the world's leading art museums, one of the main attractions that brings hordes of visitors to Florence, is planning to send many of its artworks and not a few of its visitors on visits deeper into Tuscany. It's part of an effort to reduce 'over-tourism' in Florence and at the same time support towns and villages that could use the business.
The first stage of this has been the loan of important works to five village museums in San Godenzo, Poppi, Montesperoli, Castglion Fiorentino and Anghiari. Several of these first exhibits are focused on the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante.
Eike Schmidt, the director of the museum, told press that "We're taking works of art from the Uffizi out into Tuscany. It's about promoting these artworks but also promoting the places where they are being shown."
Schmidt added that when the program reaches its full size, with hundreds of works in dozens of locations, "Within a few years, we hope that there won't be places with too many people and other places with too few. We're striving for a better balance. We want to transform the quality of tourism in this region."
The program is labeled 'Uffizi Diffusi,' or 'scattered Uffizi,' reflecting a recent trend toward 'alberghi diffusi,' boutique hotels that occupy entire abandoned villages.
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