Florence is often called the capital of Italian art, the cradle of the Renaissance. Niccolo Machiavelli, Gilileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Dante Alighieri and many other talented people made their great discoveries here. In Florence, it is proposed to visit museums dedicated to their activities, creativity.
After reviewing the expositions, you can learn interesting facts from the life of famous Italian artists, sculptors, writers, see their works, learn more about discoveries. Many museums are located in old palazzo, which are works of art in their own right. These buildings are proof of the former power of Florence. You can also learn more about all this by visiting palazzo, galleries, temples.
The most interesting museums in Florence
List, photos with names and descriptions of museums worth visiting.
Palazzo Pitti
Located on the Boboli hill. The history of this palace began in the 15th century. It is often called the "Great Royal Palace", as it has belonged to different royal dynasties throughout its existence. Today it is one of the most interesting places in Florence. Several museums are located here: the Silver Museum, the Carriage Museum, the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Porcelain Museum, and the Costume Gallery. The Palatina Gallery has a unique collection of paintings. But in the Silver Museum you can see a large number of items made of precious metals, as well as ivory treasures. The gallery of contemporary art displays works by famous masters of the 19th-20th centuries. The Porcelain Museum, Gallery and Carriage Museum will also leave a lasting impression on the guests.
Address: Piazza Pitti, 1, Florence
Website: uffizi.it
Uffizi Gallery
Located next to the Arno River. The first mention of the gallery dates back to the XIV century. If at first only noble residents could visit it, then, starting from the 18th century, it became accessible to ordinary people. Now it is a place where the most valuable works of art are collected not only from all over Italy, but also from all over the world. Here are paintings, sculptures, busts.
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, Florence
Website: uffizi.it
Bargello
It is a beautiful palazzo built in the 13th century. It is considered the oldest public building in Florence. Initially, it was the home of the chief judge, court, and later a prison. But now the slightly harsh appearance of the building reminds of this. Here is the National Museum, which displays collections of paintings, dishes, statues, household items.
Address: Via del Proconsolo, 4, Florence
Website: bargellomusei.beniculturali.it
Academy of Fine Arts
It was built in 1561. It was the first art academy in Europe. Talented young people from all over Italy came here to study. In the 18th century, parallel to the academy, a gallery was organized here, in which masterpieces from all over the world were presented. In it you can see the works of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Andrea del Sarto. The Academy continues to work and accept students today. But she is also an organization that finds and rescues the world's masterpieces.
Address: Via Ricasoli, 66, Florence
Website: accademia.firenze.it
Galileo Museum
This museum is located next to the Ponte Vecchu and the Arnro River. The building is a 12th century palace. But the museum itself was opened in 1929. After reconstruction, it was renamed in honor of the famous scientist Galileo Galileo. It now displays a large collection of instruments, instruments, textbooks and much more. All this was used by scientists for their work, making discoveries.
Address: Piazza dei Giudici, 1, Florence
Website: museogalileo.it
San Marco
This is an ancient cathedral that was built in the 9th century. And in 1987 it was listed as a UNESCO heritage site. The cathedral is located in the Sestiere San Marco area on the square of the same name. It was intended to show the greatness of the Venetian Republic. Now it houses a museum of medieval art. The cathedral has become a religious and civic symbol of the city.
Address: Piazza S. Marco, 3, Florence
Website: polomusealetoscana.beniculturali.it
Opera del Duomo
The museum is located on Miracles Square. Previously, it housed the studio of the architect Brunelleschi. And the museum was opened in 1989. It displays works of art that were previously exhibited in the Pisa Cathedral and the Baptistery. The museum displays originals of works by famous artists, a collection of Renaissance building mechanisms and much more.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 9, Florence
Website: ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it
Leonardo da Vinci Museum
Located next to the Academy Gallery. The museum presents the incredible world of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions and opened in 1993. It is private. Here, visitors are invited to get acquainted with prototypes of a tank, helicopter, car, bicycle, parachute and even a submarine. There are many drawings, diagrams. In addition, it is proposed to visit the anatomical hall, where incredible models of the human body are presented.
Address: Via Dei Servi, 66, Florence
Website: mostredileonardo.com
Palazzo Vecchio
This building was erected in the 13th century by the architect Arnolfo di Cambio. However, many of the works here were done by Michelangelo. This is a kind of symbol of Florence. It is a gloomy castle with a rich history. And the huge halls amaze with their rich paintings and unusual architecture. Most of the halls of the building are given to the museum, but part belongs to the city hall, and administrative issues are resolved here.
Address: Piazza Signoria, Florence
Website: museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it
House-Museum of Dante Alighieri
The building was built in 1910 on the foundations of Dante's house. This building is not an exact copy of the poet's house. But in the halls of the museum there is a huge collection of things that are associated with the life and work of the famous writer. His bust is installed on the facade of the building. A museum dedicated to the founder of Italian literature is located in the medieval quarter.
Address: Via Santa Margherita, 1, Florence
Website: museocasadidante.it
Basilica of Santa Croce
Built in the XIII century and is the largest Franciscan church. Inside, the walls of the basilica are decorated with unique frescoes by Giotto and other renowned masters. Also, 16 chapels, which are real works of art, require special attention. And the stained-glass windows are located in such a way as to illuminate the decoration from all sides. The basilica was rebuilt several times and the influence of several eras can be traced here.
Address: Piazza Santa Croce, 16, Florence
Website: santacroceopera.it
National Archaeological Museum of Florence
Is the pride of Florence. The museum was founded thanks to the Medici family's interest in ancient history. There are Egyptian, Etruscan collections, as well as exhibits from all over the world. Among the exhibits there are Egyptian mummies, Etruscan sarcophagus, François vase, Chimera made of bronze. The museum is located away from tourist routes.
Address: Piazza Santissima Annunziata, 9 B, Florence
Site: facebook.com
Casa Buonarroti
This is the house where Michelangelo's parents lived. He was not born in Florence, but spent a lot of time here. The house received the status of a museum in 1859. Among the exhibits of the museum are sculptural models, early bas-reliefs, a family archive, drawings by Michelangelo. There is also a portrait of the great master by Daniel de Volterra. The collection is small but very interesting.
Address: Via Ghibellina, 70, Florence
Website: casabuonarroti.it
Alessandro Dari Museum
This workshop museum was opened in 2001 in the Nasi Caratesi palazzo, which was built in the 14th century. It is located next to the Ponte Vecchio bridge. In the heart of the historic center of Florence. The works of the famous jeweler Alessandro Dari are exhibited here. From the 1980s to the present day, the master has created almost a thousand pieces of jewelry. All of them are real works of art.
Address: Via San Niccolò, 115 R, Florence
Website: alessandrodari.com
Natural History Museum
Organized in the 18th century by Pietrom Leopoldo. It is located in Palazzo Torignani. Now the museum is divided into several sections, which are devoted to different branches of science and history. This is one of the largest collections of exhibits in Europe. The museum belongs to the University of Florence and is a working scientific center.
Address: Via Giorgio la Pira, 4, Florence
Website: msn.unifi.it
Palazzo Strozzi
This Renaissance palace was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. The author is believed to have been Giuliano da Sangallo. This construction was inspired by the Medici Palace. Now in this building various exhibitions, lectures, seminars and even fashion shows are organized. Various events have been held here since 1937. For convenience, the premises are divided into thematic zones: Floor of the Noble, Center for Contemporary Culture, courtyard for musical performances.
Address: Piazza Strozzi, Florence
Website: palazzostrozzi.org
Gucci Museum
The museum was opened in 2011. It is located in Pallazzo della Mercanzia, which was built in the XIV century. The museum is dedicated to the Gucci brand. It is here in Florence that this brand was founded 90 years ago. Here, in chronological order, are the key products from the brand's designers. But in addition to the museum, the building houses a cafe, restaurant and shops with Gucci products.
Address: Piazza della Signoria, 10, Florence
Website: gucci.com
Architectural complex San Firenze
Located in Piazza San Firenze. The first mention of it dates back to 1174. Now the court is located here. It is a complex consisting of a tower house, a church, and palaces. All this is a mini-palace with a magnificent interior decoration, a rich collection of works of art. The interior of the complex was created by Matteo Bonecchi, Giuseppe Pinzani, Alessandro Nerardini.
Address: Piazza San Firenze, 5, Florence
Website: fondazionefrancozeffirelli.com
Salvatore Ferragamo Museum
The museum was opened in 1995. And it is located in the Spini Feroni Palace, on Via Tornabuoni. The collection of the museum is dedicated to the life and professional activities of the famous shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo. Here you can see the best collections, photographs, personal items and much more. After all, this fashion designer is an innovator in the field of footwear.
Address: Via Dei Tornabuoni, 2, Florence
Website: ferragamo.com
Stibbert Museum
The museum is away from the tourist routes, but well worth seeing. This is a private collection of artifacts, which contains several collections in different directions. Here you can see Japanese artifacts: samurai armor, fans, women's shoes. The museum also has a very rich collection of uniforms of medieval European warriors. There is also a collection of paintings from the 17th-18th centuries. All this is located in 57 rooms of the mansion.
Address: Via Federigo Stibbert, 26, Florence
Website: museostibbert.it
Bardini Museum
Located on the territory of the church of the former monastery of San Gregorio della Pace. And Stefano Bardini was a restorer and antiquarian dealer in the late 19th - early 20th century. He turned the church building into a magnificent palace. He also bought rare works of art, restored them, then sold them to collectors. Having collected his collection, he presented it to the authorities. However, this building houses not only a museum, but also restoration workshops.
Address: Via dei Renai, 37, Florence
Website: cultura.comune.fi.it
Davantsati Palace
The interiors of the XIV-XVI centuries are accurately reproduced here. Having visited this palace, you can feel how a rich family lived during this period. Guests are shown rich decoration. Each floor is unique. It is also interesting that the palace had a sewerage system, and water was supplied through a special lift. It received the status of a museum in 1956.
Address: Via Porta Rossa, 13, Florence
Website: bargellomusei.beniculturali.it
House-Museum of Martelli
Located next to the cathedral, the palace of San Lorenzo. This is an old Florentine palazzo with a valuable collection of paintings and sculptures. It acquired the status of a museum in 1986. Here are the works of Luca Giordano, Dominico Decafumi, Salvator Rosa. However, not only the collection is of interest, but also the structure itself: skillfully painted ceilings, magnificent molding.
Address: Via Zannetti, 8, Florence
Website: bargellomusei.beniculturali.it
Italian Football Hall of Fame
The museum was opened in 2011. The hotel is located in the modern area of Coverciano. Here you can see the awards and trophies of the Italian teams. Shows the history of Italian football, from 1910 to the present day. The guides will tell you many interesting facts about the birth of the national team. You can also buy souvenirs of the famous Italian color "azurro" for every taste.
Address: Viale Aldo Palazzeschi, 20, Florence
Website: figc.it
Museum-workshop of processing of semi-precious stones
Located next to the Academy Gallery. The entire collection of the museum, consisting of mosaics, vases, paintings, countertops, is made of stones. Representatives of the Medici family began to collect it. The museum is supervised by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Institute, which carries out restoration of works of art of this kind. One of the most famous schools of restorers operates here.
Address: Via Degli Alfani, 78, Florence
Website: opificiodellepietredure.it
Great synagogue
Built in 1882 and located in the historic center of the city. It is the largest synagogue in the city, and its dome is part of the famous panorama of Florence. There is also a museum dedicated to Jewish art. The exposition presents not only religious objects, but also books, items made of precious metals, photographs about the life of the Jewish community.
Address: Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 6, Florence
Website: firenzebraica.it
Brancacci Chapel
It was erected in 1367 in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine under construction. And for several centuries it belonged to the Brancacci family. The walls of the chapel are decorated with frescoes made by famous masters: Masolino da Panicale and Tommaso di Masaccio. But some of them were finished by the equally talented master Filippino Lippi.
Address: Piazza del Carmine, 14, Florence
Website: museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it
Museum of the last supper of Andrea del Sarto
Located in the refectory of the Convent of San Salvi. The fresco "The Last Supper" is the main decoration of this place. When making it, Andrea del Sarto chose the most handsome men of his time as models. But besides this masterpiece, there are other valuable canvases dating back to the 15th-16th centuries.
Address: Via di San Salvi, 16, Florence
Website: polomusealetoscana.beniculturali.it
Rodolfo Siviero House Museum
This house-museum is located on the banks of the Arno. After World War II, Siviero rescued and returned to his homeland a large number of works of art. He was also a gambling collector, so the exposition presented in the museum is impressive. Here you are invited to get acquainted with paintings, sculptures, jewelry, furniture, ceramics and tableware, which are of great value.
Address: Lungarno Serristori, 1-3, Florence
Website: museocasasiviero.it
Vasari Corridor
Built by order of Cosimo I Medici in the 16th century. This building connected the house of the Medici family with the Palazzo Vecchio, which housed the government. The corridor was built in 5 months. And the architect of this project was Giorgio Vasari. Now this gallery is very popular, but only part of the corridor is open to visitors.
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, Florence
Website: corridoiovasariano.com
