Best Museums In Florence Italy

Pitti Palace & The Boboli Gardens

20 Things to do in Florence, Italy Travel Guide

You really cannot mention Florence without mentioning the Medici. They were the most influential dynasty in Italian history and arguably the history of the World. Needless to say, they have a massive estate in Florence. The estate has been preserved and converted into one of the most iconic Florence museums.

Their estate is on the south side of the River close to but away from the action in the center. It also could be considered a strategic choice considering their power. If there were general revolt from the people of Florence theyd have a strategic advantage defending themselves. They also had their own private gate entering and leaving the walls of Florence.

The Medici did not build the estate but instead bought it from the Grand Duchy of Tuscany which is not a person but a monarchy that controlled Tuscany off and on for a few hundred years. That said, the Medici did expand and add significantly to the estates opulence. Today, I would describe it as a must-see attraction in Florence. This is due to its wealth of artwork and low visitor count.

The attached Boboli Gardens are also glorious and included in the admission cost to get inside the Pitti Palace.

Hours: Tuesday Sunday 8:30 am 6:30 pm

Admission: 16 adults | Free for children 17 and under with passport

Address: Piazza de Pitti, 1

Museo Degli Innocenti: Best Post

Its impossible for your curiosity not to be piqued by the shiny sky-blue, glazed-terracotta medallions of swaddled babies peppering the facade of Florences former Ospedale degli Innocenti. The round arches and Roman capitals designed by Brunelleschi in 1421 make this the first Renaissance building in Florence. Inside, state-of-the-art museum exhibits bring to life the moving tale of Florences foundling hospital and later Europe’s first orphanage where unwanted children were cared for from 1421 until 1875.

End with coffee or an aperitivo as the sun turns the city pink on the panoramic terrace of the museums gorgeous rooftop Caffé del Verone, the hospitals verone where washed linen was hung to dry. You’re in a great neighborhood for exploration too: Michelangelo’s David is a five-minute walk away.

Museo Dellopera Del Duomo

When Santa Maria del Fiorealso known as Florence cathedral, or Il Duomowas completed in the late 1400s. Along with its baptistery and bell tower, it was the largest church in Europe and was decorated by some of Italys most celebrated artists. But those masterworks that you see on the cathedral today, like Lorenzo Ghibertis famous doors, or Gates of Paradise, which took him 27 years to finish, are fake, to spare the original bronze from the elements. The doors and some of the other embellishments and sculptures that once adorned the church are now housed in the Museo dellOpera del Duomo.

INSIDER TIP Buy one ticket that covers entry into the Museo dellOpera del Duomo, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, and a climb up Florence Cathedrals bell tower and cupola within 72 hours.

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Opera Del Duomo Museum

If the Palazzo Vecchio is the most important building of the state, the Duomo is, of course, the most important building of the church. As well as going inside the cathedral itself, you also shouldnt miss its museum, called the Opera del Duomo Museum .

The original idea of the Opera del Duomo Museum was to house artworks that needed to be taken out of the Duomo and the Baptistery of San Giovanni. Over the years, this collection grew and it now has some exceptional pieces, including the baptisterys main 18th-century altar.

In 2015, the museum was renovated and now presents more than 750 works over three floors, including a bright atrium with a reconstruction of an old Duomo facade.

The museum is included with the combo ticket for the Duomo itself, but there can often be a line. These tours will give you a fascinating insight into this icon of Florence, and let you skip the queue:

Closed Sunday afternoon

Museo Dell’opera Di Santa Maria Del Fiore

Priceless works of art given to Florence’s cathedral are housed in the adjoining museum, along with originals of the more vulnerable works, such as Ghiberti’s bronze door panels, brought indoors for safekeeping.

Some of the city’s greatest masterpieces are here: Michelangelo’s last Pietà, early-15th-century marble galleries by Luca della Robbia and Donatello, his St. John the Baptist and , silk and gold needlework, and the silver altar of the baptistery. Although the themes here are almost entirely religious, the different media and craftsmanship give the collection tremendous variety.

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The 6 Most Important And Influential Florence Museums

Unlike Rome, Paris or London, Florence is a small village rather than a city. That said, it is the small city that pulled Europe out of darkness the birthplace of the Renaissance. Per capita, Florence is home to one of the greatest collections of artwork the world knows.

The artists born and trained in Florence would go on to decorate Europe at large. While this list is definitely shorter than the ones youll find in Paris or Rome, it is more than most could cover on their first trip to Florence.

The Best Museums In Florence

Galleria degli Uffizi: One of the world’s top museums, the Uffizi houses some of the seminal works of the Renaissance, including Giotto’s Ognissanti Maestà, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Allegory of Spring, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, and Michelangelo’s only panel painting, the Holy Family. Few rooms go by without three or four masterpieces. Thoroughly brain-draining . . . but worth it.

Museo Nazionale del Bargello: Past early Michelangelo marbles and Giambologna bronzes, the main attraction at the primary sculpture museum of the Renaissance is a room full of famous works that survey the entire career of Donatello, in his time rightly considered the greatest sculptor since antiquity.

San Marco: The entire place is the magnum opus of Dominican artist Fra’ Angelico, who painted with delicate beauty and mathematical precision. If you’re not familiar with his work, it’s probably because the best of it is all here — from his cycle of intimate, contemplative frescoes in the monks’ cells upstairs, to the blockbuster altarpieces displayed in the former pilgrim’s hospice around the cloister downstairs.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Museums Open On Mondays

Are you in Florence on a Monday and find the Accademia and Uffizi closed? You’ll find the Medici Chapels, Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti open, but also the very interesting Da Vinci Museum and, every other Monday, the Bargello Museum.

Keep in mind: every first Sunday of the month, entrance to all state museums in Italy is free, and this also applies to many flourishing museums. Unfortunately, on this day it is not possible to book in advance, but priority is given to Firenze Card holders.

List Of Famous Museums In Florence

6 Great Museums in Florence, Italy

1. Galleria dellAccademia

Address: 60, Via Ricasoli, 58, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Galleria dellAccademia is Florences most-visited museum hall directly after the Uffizi Gallery, on account of the first statue of Michelangelos celebrated David, housed here. Youd be neglectful to avoid his incomplete gathering of Slaves, however, with middles and appendages appearing to climb out from marble. There are likewise huge, wall painting-like pieces from Perugino, Filippino Lippi, Pontormo, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Bronzino and, the ground floor, Florentine Gothic sketches, including altarpieces by Giotto.

2. Opera del Duomo

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 9, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

What is it: The museum of Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower, otherwise called Il Duomo di Firenze.

Why go: Just having experienced a great remodel, the exhibition hall of the Duomo isnt to be missed, with its prized ownership the as of late reestablished Entryways of Paradise that was initially on the Baptistery. This exhibition hall likewise has a three-story exterior to show the Duomo as it was before the latest facelift . Additionally hope to discover mind-boggling magnum opuses from any semblance of Donatello, Michelangelo and thats only the tip of the iceberg, including the lasts The Pietà, which he began taking a shot at in his 70s and in the end, endeavored to annihilate.

3. Bargello Palace National Museum

Address: Via del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

4. Museo Novecento

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Florence Where To Stay And How To Get There

You can travel to Florence by car, bus, train or plane. Renting a car gives you freedom. If you are traveling inside Italy, trains and buses are the cheapest options and there are plenty of connections around the country and Tuscany. You might book your tickets in advance, especially during summertime. If you are thinking to travel in Italy by train, or even across Europe, read this comprehensive guide to travel with Eurail Pass:

How to Travel with Eurail one pass for all Europe, up to 3 months traveling

For the best flights to Italy, search and book your flights via Skyscanner or Kiwi.com. We love the searching tools and the way they compare the different fares.

Your one day in Florence must start early in the morning and after all the tours and museums you can leave the city at night time. The trains are running almost until midnight. Another option is to sleep one night in Florence and enjoy a bit more of the city, especially the bars and aperitivo scene. In this case, we would suggest you to book an Airbnb or a hotel in Florence old town. It will be easy to get around and make the most of your one day in Florence. The hotels in Florence city center are more expensive but you wont spend much on taxi or transportation.

Santa Maria Novella & Museum

Architecture buffs will love visiting this museum and church. Its considered one of the most important Gothic churches in Tuscany, and its museum makes the visit even more worthwhile. While the exterior of the church is a work of art in itself, the interior is part of the allure. Inside youll find works by Masaccio, Giotto, and Ghirlandaio. The interior was supposedly designed by the same architect as the Duomos cupola, Brunelleschi. The most important pieces to see include:

Masaccios Trinity The Tornabuoni Chapel by Ghirlandaio The Nativity by Botticelli The Grand Cloister

Hours: Weekdays from 9am until 5:30pm, Fridays from 11am to 5:30 pm, Saturday from 9am until 5pm, and Sunday from 1pm until 5pm.Admission Price: 5 Euros

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Museo Dell’opera Del Duomo

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

The Museo dellOpera del Duomo is the museum that holds many of the original works and blueprints from art and architecture related to Florences Duomo complex, which includes the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery, and the Campanile. On display are some original statues and carvings from all three buildings, including Lorenzo Ghibertis panels for the Baptistery doors. You will also find exhibits of Duomo architect Brunelleschis plans and Renaissance-era tools used to build the Duomo.

Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens

The impressive Palazzo Pitti is one of the best museums in Florence See my

Why is Palazzo Pitti one of the best museums in Florence? You could easily spend an entire day exploring the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Entry tickets are purchased separately , but each ticket buys you hours of exposure to some of the greatest art, architecture, history, and botany that Florence has to offer. The Palazzo is the largest complex of museums in Florence and it contains galleries upon galleries of the Medicis private art collections, a treasury full of rare silver and gemstones, and a costume institute.

The Boboli Gardens are an early and significant representation of the Italian Garden style, with many caves and grottoes in addition to manicured lawns, mazes, fountains, sculptures, and flower gardens. Take all of these sights in on a leisurely walk around the garden. A notable Tuscan feature of the garden is the Lemon House, a huge 18th century building that serves as a house for the citrus trees in the Boboli Gardens during Florences colder months. The potted trees are moved outdoors for the warmer parts of the year.

Palazzo Pitti Visiting Tips: All around the palace and gardens you can play a game of find the Medici crest. The crest is five red spheres on a yellow background with one blue sphere on top, and the blue sphere is decorated with three fleur-de-lys. Youll find this symbol everywhere as a reminder of the Medicis massive influence on the citys history.

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Palazzo Pitti For Lovers Of Paintings

Pitti Palace is the artistic highlight on the other side of the Arno in Florence, a grand palace that used to be the residence of the Medici and later the Lorena and the King of Italy. Today it hosts different museums including a costume museum, Modern Art Gallery and Royal Apartments. The Galleria Palatina is the highlight of this gigantic art-filled palace.

The Galleria Palatina is a vast collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings that include Caravaggio, Raffaello and Titian, Filippo Lippi, Andrea del Sarto and Rubens.

Florence Is Filled With World

Florence is an artistic and cultural city and is the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy. It is home to many wonders of Renaissance art and architecture. The most iconic sights are the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome which was engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. Michelangelos David sculpture is displayed in the gallery dell Academia. Botticellis The birth of Venus and Da Vincis Annunciation is showcased in the Uffizi gallery.

Whether you are into art, want to learn more about the history of the city or the architecture, Florence has something that suits all tastes. This article includes 11 best museums in Florence, so you do not miss out on the wonderful art and history this spectacular city as to offer, and to make your trip memorable.

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Cattedrale Di Santa Maria Del Fiore

Most visitors to Florence visit the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, its famous dome constructed by Brunelleschi, Baptistery and bell tower. These are all worthy of being described as museums in their own right but the complex also houses a museum dedicated to the cathedral.

After spending time at the cathedral with its iconic architectural style and massive dome, Giottos Bell Tower, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni, head to the Museo dell Opera del Duomo. Here you will find over 700 sculptures and paintings housed away from their original locations in the cathedral complex for preservation purposes. Among them are Michelangelos Pieta and the original Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti from the Baptistery.

A trip to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is essential to any Florence itinerary, but dont make the mistake of missing this section of the complex. It is one of the best Firenze museums to help you understand the architecture and history of the cathedral and its significance to the city of Florence.

Opening Times: Mon-Sun 08:30 19:00 Official website

Recommended tour of the Florence Duomo

Visit Euopas Florence Dome Climb: Priority Entrance Tour express skip the line dome tour followed by access to the Duomo museum and Cathedral complex to explore at leisure . Time: 1 hour > more info

The Best Galleries And Museums In Florence

Alan’s Italy Show # 113: My Favorite Art at the Bargello Museum in Florence

12th August 2017

We all seek something different from our travel experiences, but if you find your wanderlust calling you to Fine Art, exquisite architecture and European history, then venturing to Florence, in the heart of Italy, would see you amply satisfied.

With architechture such as the Florence Duomo Cathedral, the cityscape of Florence is an expansive and intriguing museum in its own right. A renaissance city with an ambience that oozes sophisticated Italian culture. The museums of Florence cover all manner of subjects history, politics, astronomy and more. Each with awealth of artefacts, exhibits and displays to explore.

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Ferrari Museum In Maranello

Car lovers should be in seventh heaven as the Ferrari Museum counts among the best car museums in Italy. There, you will be able to hop on a real Ferrari car, and visit the factory among many other exciting activities! We have listed the Ferrari Museum as one of the best car museums in Italy for the diversity of activities it offers, and the exciting approach to the public. For the Ferrari Museum as well, you can get tickets online.

Museo Egizio De Turin

This museum is among the most famous museums in Italy, and its collections are rich and full of history. Within its walls, the museum holds more than 37.000 items that have helped us understand the functioning of humans from the Paleolithic. The items include various sarcophagi, mummies, papyrus, and more all to bring you back in time. The Egyptian Museum is something incredible, and if youre in Torino, you shouldnt skip it!

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