1-877-457-3177
5 minute read

The Renaissance city of Florence is the capital of the Tuscan region and chock full of museums with dazzling examples of period artwork and architecture that tell the history of this beautiful country. Tucked in a valley surrounded by verdant hills and with the Arno river flowing through  the center, it’s easy to see how the city of Florence inspired such greats as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Da Vinci and Galileo.

Some might say the city herself is a museum. Walking around Florence you’ll get a taste of Italian culture as you round every corner. The elegance and rich romance of this Tuscan city is apparent in her churches, squares, fountains and even the people. The entire city tells a story of the birth of the remarkable Renaissance period.

But the true and iconic exhibits of that graceful period are a must-see. The beauty in paintings, sculpture, architecture and the examples from great minds that developed the sciences and philosophies of the period are simply surreal and quite stunning. Fortunately, Florence has no shortage of museums that showcase the artistry and value of the Italian Renaissance.

Here we list the must-see museums for anyone who visits this truly inspirational town. Of the 15 most-visited museums in Italy Florence is home to five. The art that is housed in these five museums and more was a significant reason the city itself was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to some of the most iconic artwork in the world Florence also has some very specific museums dedicated to specific arts as well as historical figures. Come stroll through these museums at your leisure and soak up the culture of Florence.

The Top Museums To Visit in Florence

The art in Florence belongs to the city. Thanks to the Medici family who collected and obtained paintings, sculptures, furnishings and other significant objects of art. Upon her death in 1743 the last remaining member of the prominent Medici family, Anna Maria Luisa de Medici, bequeathed the family’s considerable collection to the city. These collections have only been added to over the centuries.

While art remains the biggest museum draw there are also exhibits representing fashion, footwear, fragrance and fantastic inventions. Here we offer our must-see museums in Florence.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is considered one of the most important museums in the world. It was the very first museum in Italy and houses a collection of more than 2,200 works of art. It’s easy to spend an entire day as you retrace the progression of the Tuscan Renaissance and representations of Italian art.

There are rooms dedicated to the works of Botticelli with La Primavera and La Nascita de Venere showcased on display. There are examples of the master Filippo Lippi, notably Madonna col Bambino e Angeli and the works of Titian, Cimabue, Giotto, Michelangelo and Caravaggio. A literal who’s who of Italian Masters.

The Uffizi was constructed in 1560 at the behest of Cosimo I de Medici, first Grand Duke of Tuscany. The building originally housed government and judicial offices (the name of the museum is derived from the word ufficio which means offices in Italian). Later, the museum became the seat of the Medici family’s private collection, including ancient and modern works of art, weapons, precious stones and gems and even the scientific instruments that once belonged to Galileo.

There’s also a quite impressive work of art, architecture and engineering in full view of the Uffizi Museum; the Ponte Vecchio. The Old Bridge is built of stone and wood and dates back several centuries. It’s quite stunning, really, and has a storied history as well.

Accademia Gallery

The Academia is the second most important museum in Florence as it is home to the legendary  sculpture, David, by Michelangelo. There are many other must-see works of art in the Academia including Giambologna’s The Rape of The Sabine Women and Botticelli’s iconic Madonna and Child and The Madonna of the Sea.

Da Vinci Museum

This museum is small but oh-so unique and interesting. After hours spent looking at the iconic images housed in the Uffizi and Accademia the Da Vinci Museum offers a nice change of pace. As you might imagine, the Da Vinci Museum celebrates the undeniable genius of Leonardo Da Vinci. Here you’ll see plans and models of Da Vinci’s machines and inventions. You’ll also see those same plans come to life in working order reproductions. There are hydraulic and mechanical engineering works, machines intended for flight, including a parachute and a bicycle ornithopter. The Da Vinci museum is a truly remarkable must-see in Florence.

The Bargello National Museum

If you enjoy sculpture, the Bargello National Museum will delight you. This impressive collection of Renaissance period statues includes masterpieces by such acclaimed artists as Michelangelo, Donatello, Cellini, Giambologna, Ghiberti, Ammannati and many other celebrated sculptors.

Palazzo Vecchio

Located in the heart of Florence the Palazzo Vecchio served as the official residence of the prominent Medici family for centuries. Cosimo I called upon some of the most important artists of the day to decorate and embellish his home in a display of power. Donatello, Domenico Ghirlandaio and others contributed to the interior design and the Palazzo Vecchio houses the designs of Leonardo and Michelangelo.

Museum of The Medici Chapels

The chapels serve as the final resting place for many of the members of the Medici family as well as the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and their families. The chapels are located within the Basilica of San Lorenzo and accessible from the back of the church on the Piazza Madonna deli Aldobrandini.

The New Sacristy is a stunning display of marble and sculptures by Michelangelo. Cosimo I commissioned the Chapel of the Princes which is a lavish octagon chapel whose crowning touch is the nearly 200 feet high dome. The dome itself is quite a breathtaking sight, decorated with priceless gems, mother of pearl and lapis lazuli.

Modern Art Gallery at The Palazzo Pitti

The Palazzo Pitti houses several galleries that exhibit all kinds of interesting collections. Among them you’ll find a costume gallery, silverware, porcelain, vintage carriages and even the Bobble Gardens with states on display, sunny paths and labyrinthian trails. But, by far, one of the most popular galleries is devoted to artwork spanning 200 years, from the 18th century to the 20th century. Represented in the Modern Art collection are Antonio Canova, Giovanni Boldini, Giacomo Balla, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Francesco Hayez.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

The Duomo Museum, also known as the OPA, offers a collection of sculptures that is unparalleled. Treasures from the Medieval and Early Renaissance art of Florence with many pieces by legendary artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo, Nanni di Banco and Arnolfo di Cambio are all part of this illustrious collection.

The museum itself is housed in the Piazza del Duomo, behind the Duomo’s apse and at the back of Giotto’s Bell Tower. This is a significant detail as it is the same space where Michelangelo carved his masterpiece, David, in secret.

This hidden gem remains a favorite destination for art historians but since its recent extensive renovations the visitor log has quadrupled. The art contained within the OPA was created for religious settings and the stunning space showcases it perfectly. The museum is 3 floors and spans over 20,000 square feet. There are over 750 works on display in this dazzling museum, itself a work of art.

In addition to the breathtaking displays there is a rooftop terrace providing amazing views which should not be missed.

 

The Galileo Museum (Formerly The Science Museum)

Tuscany’s most revered scientist, Galileo Galilei, probably did more to advance modern science than anyone else in history. The brilliant physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher created the compound microscope, opened our eyes to the planets thanks to his pioneering telescope and whose laws of kinetics paved the way for Newton’s discoveries.

This museum, which up until 2010 was called the Science Museum, offers a glimpse into the earliest discoveries in Galileo’s realm such as telescopes and early instruments. And, true to the Italian nature, these instruments are also quite beautiful. The artisan craftsmanship is quite intricate and lovely, given that these are instruments of science.

Within the displays you’ll find dials and mechanical calculators, compasses and meticulously engraved astro globes. In addition you’ll discover barometers and thermometers dating back to the Renaissance period, Chinese compasses and 18th century surgical instruments. One very interesting piece is the “Ladies Telescope”. This instrument looks very much like a makeup kit but inside are the components of a small telescope. That way, should a lady’s interest lie in science (a veritable no-no in those days) she could indulge her curiosity and still appear ever the prim and proper female.

There you have it! These are the top must-see museums in Florence, in our opinion.

 

Museums in Florence