Latest news with #UffiziGallery
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Today in History: May 27, the Golden Gate Bridge opens
Today is Tuesday, May 27, the 147th day of 2025. There are 218 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 27, 1937, the newly completed Golden Gate Bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County, California, was opened to pedestrian traffic (vehicles began crossing the next day). Also on this date: In 1896, 255 people were killed when a devastating F4 tornado struck St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois. In 1930, New York's Chrysler Building, at the time the world's tallest building, opened to the public. In 1941, the British Royal Navy sank the German battleship Bismarck off France, killing over 2,000 German sailors. In 1942, Doris 'Dorie' Miller, a cook aboard the USS West Virginia, became the first African-American to receive the Navy Cross for displaying 'extraordinary courage and disregard for his own personal safety' during Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1968, the U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. O'Brien, upheld the conviction of David O'Brien for destroying his draft card outside a Boston courthouse, ruling that the act was not protected by freedom of speech. In 1993, a bomb set by the Sicilian mafia exploded outside the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy; 5 people were killed and 48 wounded, and dozens of centuries-old paintings were destroyed or damaged. In 1994, Nobel Prize-winning author Alexander Solzhenitsyn returned to Russia to the emotional cheers of thousands after spending two decades in exile. In 1998, Michael Fortier, the government's star witness in the Oklahoma City bombing case, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after apologizing for not warning anyone about the deadly plot. (Fortier was freed in January 2006.) In 2006, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Java near the city of Yogyakarta, killing more than 5,700 people. Today's Birthdays: Actor Lee Meriwether is 90. Actor Bruce Weitz is 82. Musician Bruce Cockburn is 80. Singer Dee Dee Bridgewater is 75. Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater is 71. Actor Richard Schiff is 70. Singer Siouxsie Sioux is 68. Musician Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House) is 67. Actor Peri Gilpin is 64. Comedian Adam Carolla is 61. Actor Todd Bridges is 60. Baseball Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell is 57. Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas is 57. Actor Paul Bettany is 54. Actor Jack McBrayer is 52. Rapper-musician Andre 3000 (Outkast) is 50. Rapper Jadakiss is 50. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is 50. Actor Ben Feldman is 45. Actor-singer Chris Colfer is 35. Actor Lily-Rose Depp is 26. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Jade Carey is 25.
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: Chrysler Building opens to the public
Today is Tuesday, May 27, the 147th day of 2025. There are 218 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 27, 1930, New York's Chrysler Building, at the time the world's tallest building, opened to the public. Also on this date: In 1896, 255 people were killed when a devastating F4 tornado struck St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois. In 1937, the newly completed Golden Gate Bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County, California, was opened to pedestrian traffic (vehicles began crossing the next day). In 1941, the British Royal Navy sank the German battleship Bismarck off France, killing over 2,000 German sailors. In 1942, Doris 'Dorie' Miller, a cook aboard the USS West Virginia, became the first African-American to receive the Navy Cross for displaying 'extraordinary courage and disregard for his own personal safety' during Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1968, the U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. O'Brien, upheld the conviction of David O'Brien for destroying his draft card outside a Boston courthouse, ruling that the act was not protected by freedom of speech. In 1993, a bomb set by the Sicilian mafia exploded outside the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy; 5 people were killed and 48 wounded, and dozens of centuries-old paintings were destroyed or damaged. In 1994, Nobel Prize-winning author Alexander Solzhenitsyn returned to Russia to the emotional cheers of thousands after spending two decades in exile. In 1998, Michael Fortier, the government's star witness in the Oklahoma City bombing case, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after apologizing for not warning anyone about the deadly plot. (Fortier was freed in January 2006.) In 2006, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Java near the city of Yogyakarta, killing more than 5,700 people. Today's Birthdays: Actor Lee Meriwether is 90. Actor Bruce Weitz is 82. Musician Bruce Cockburn is 80. Singer Dee Dee Bridgewater is 75. Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater is 71. Actor Richard Schiff is 70. Singer Siouxsie Sioux is 68. Musician Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House) is 67. Actor Peri Gilpin is 64. Comedian Adam Carolla is 61. Actor Todd Bridges is 60. Baseball Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell is 57. Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas is 57. Actor Paul Bettany is 54. Actor Jack McBrayer is 52. Rapper-musician Andre 3000 (Outkast) is 50. Rapper Jadakiss is 50. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is 50. Actor Ben Feldman is 45. Actor-singer Chris Colfer is 35. Actor Lily-Rose Depp is 26. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Jade Carey is 25.
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Italy's museum visitors exceed population for first time in 2024
In Italy, the ancient Colosseum in Rome was the most visited attraction, with 14.7 million ticket holders, followed by the Uffizi Gallery in Florence with 5.3 million and the archaeological site of Pompeii with 4.3 million. Photo: AFP Italy's top cultural sites drew more than 60 million paying visitors in 2024, surpassing the country's population for the first time. The ancient Colosseum in Rome was the most visited attraction, with 14.7 million ticket holders, followed by the Uffizi Gallery in Florence with 5.3 million and the archaeological site of Pompeii with 4.3 million. Tourists from Italy and abroad contributed more than €382mil (RM1.8bil) in revenue to the Italian state, with the Colosseum alone bringing in over €100mil (RM483mil). Italy has about 59 million residents and is home to more than 400 state-run museums. The number of visitors rose by two million compared to the previous year, while revenue increased by €68mil (RM329mil) partly due to higher ticket prices. Not included in the figures are the Vatican Museums - home to the Sistine Chapel, where Pope Leo XIV was recently elected - which belong to the independent Vatican City. With more than six million annual visitors, the Vatican Museums would rank second if counted among Italy's attractions. - dpa
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Italy now has more museum visitors than its has residents
Italy's top cultural sites drew more than 60 million paying visitors in 2024, surpassing the country's population for the first time. The ancient Colosseum in Rome was the most visited attraction, with 14.7 million ticket holders, followed by the Uffizi Gallery in Florence with 5.3 million and the archaeological site of Pompeii with 4.3 million. Tourists from Italy and abroad contributed more than €382 million ($424 million) in revenue to the Italian state, with the Colosseum alone bringing in over €100 million. Italy has about 59 million residents and is home to more than 400 state-run museums. The number of visitors rose by 2 million compared to the previous year, while revenue increased by €68 million, partly due to higher ticket prices. Not included in the figures are the Vatican Museums — home to the Sistine Chapel, where Pope Leo XIV was recently elected — which belong to the independent Vatican City. With more than 6 million annual visitors, the Vatican Museums would rank second if counted among Italy's attractions. The Vatican is expected to have one of its busiest years in tourism, and even ahead of the recent death of pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, the city had expected some 32 million pilgrims to come to the city for the holy year of 2025. The museum figures come as Italy is among European countries trying to crack down on mass tourism, notably with entry fees for day-trippers to Venice. Meanwhile the buried city of Pompeii, which had been attracting some 36,000 visitors on busy days, last year introduced a limit of 20,000. Tourists still flock to the attraction - one of Italy's most popular - in hordes to see the archaeological park and learn about the victims of the Vesuvius eruption. Greece, Spain, Holland, the Czech Republic and othe parts of Europe popular among tourists have been announcing a spate of new rules designed to limit the negative aspects of so-called overtourism.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The tourist attractions with the longest queue times revealed - as expert shares hack on how you can save HOURS
The demand for world-famous attractions is higher than ever - and for tourists, this means frustrating delays and hours-long queues. According to a new study by solo travel specialist, Just You, travellers can waste up to 20 hours standing in queues while visiting some of the world's most popular sites - but which have the longest lines? The travel company's research analysed waiting times at some of the world's most famous landmarks and identified nine tourist attractions with the longest waiting times. Luckily, Just You unveiled how much time could be saved on queues if travellers were to pre-book a guided tour, which can help maximise a visitor's experience with fast-track access, seamless transport and expert planning to make the most of the day. Charlotte Field, Marketing Director at Just You, said: 'Pre-booked entry, fast-track passes and expert planning can all dramatically reduce waiting times at these must-visit destinations. 'This means that travellers can spend more time discovering cultural wonders, rather than waiting in line.' From skipping long queues at the Taj Mahal, or breezing past crowds at the Uffizi Gallery, read on to discover how much time you could save with the help of a guided tour at nine global attractions with the longest queues. 1. Taj Mahal - Agra, India With its breathtaking beauty, perfectly symmetrical design, and intricate marble inlay work, the Taj Mahal is undoubtedly a world-renowned architectural masterpiece. However, the India-based attraction has bagged the top spot for having the longest lines, which sees independent visitors queueing for up to 4 hours to explore the mausoleum. For travellers who choose to book with a guided tour operator, it's estimated they can gain entry in just 15 minutes, saving an impressive 3 hours and 45 minutes. 2. Château de Versailles - Versailles, France As one of France's top historical landmarks, the grandeur of Versailles attracts over 15 million tourists each year. However, without a plan, that can mean two hours of inching toward the entrance. But those who have an advance ticket with a tour operator can find themselves through the gates in just 20 minutes, leaving more time for strolling the Hall of Mirrors and picnicking in the palace gardens. 3. Uffizi Gallery - Florence, Italy A visit to Florence's Uffizi Gallery is a must for art lovers - but, without a timed-entry ticket, visitors could spend up to 2 hours and 30 minutes waiting to enter. Tours offer fast-track entry in as little as 20 minutes, freeing up 2 hours and 10 minutes for marveling at iconic works by the likes of Botticelli and Michelangelo. 4. Colosseum - Rome, Italy The Colosseum is renowned for its historic epic hunts and bloody gladiator battles - but visitors often find themselves combatting lengthy queues to appreciate the magnitude of the world's largest amphitheatre. The bustling attraction draws millions of tourists annually, who wait up to 2 hours and 30 minutes to gain entry. But with guided entry, visitors can step back in time in no less than 20 minutes, saving 2 hours and 10 minutes for sightseeing. 5. Leaning Tower of Pisa - Pisa, Italy Famous for its unintended tilt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is recognised for its unique architectural style, making it one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions. The Tower gathers over 5 million visitors each year, meaning many are subject to wait times of up to 1 hour and 50 minutes to enter. Booking a tour grants visitors entry in as little as 15 minutes, saving 1 hour and 35 minutes of queueing time to take on the 251-step climb to the top of the structure. 6. Shrine Of Our Lady of Pompeii - Campania, Italy The Shrine Of Our Lady of Pompeii is a prominent Catholic pilgrimage site renowned for its history and spiritual significance, making it a top attraction for religious pilgrims and curious tourists alike. With guided entry, visitors can see their 1 hour 20 minute queue cut to just ten minutes, freeing up a spare hour to explore nearby Pompeii or indulge in regional cuisine. 7. Tokyo Tower Observation Deck - Tokyo, Japan The impressive panoramic view of Japan's capital from the top of Tokyo Tower is unmatched - but it often comes at the price of an hour-long wait. Tour packages offer near-instant access in as much as five minutes - giving visitors nearly an extra hour to explore Shibuya or tuck into a bowl of steaming hot ramen in Roppongi. 8. Blue Grotto - Capri, Italy Capri's famous Blue Grotto is known for its vibrant blue water and mythical history, but experiencing the otherworldly sea cave is often accompanied by a 1 hour 30 minute wait. Private boat tours can dramatically reduce wait times to just five minutes, which gives an extra 1 hour and 25 minutes to explore, sail, snorkel or dive into its brilliant blue waters. 9. Te Puia Thermal Reserve - Rotorua, New Zealand Home to bubbling mud pools, and Māori cultural experiences, Te Puia is one of New Zealand's top tourist sites. But without a guided experience, visitors often face queues of up to 1 hour and 30 minutes. A tour package can save the average tourist up to 1 hours and 20 minutes of waiting time, which frees up almost an extra 90 minutes to discover the power and history of the land.
