The Civic Museums of Florence
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The civic museums of Florence

From Palazzo Vecchio to Brancacci Chapel, encountering masters like Vasari and Masaccio: discovering the treasures of the civic museums of the City of Florence.

Discovering the historical and artistic wealth is one of those things to do in Florence that should be on your list. This guide will take you through the city’s main civic museums, revealing hidden treasures and famous masterpieces. From the Renaissance masterpieces of the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio and the Cappella Brancacci to the modern works of the Museo Novecento and the historical collections of the Complesso Monumentale di Santa Maria Novella and the Museo Stefano Bardini, prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Florentine culture.

Palazzo Vecchio Museum

Located in Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio Museum is an icon of Renaissance history and art. This imposing medieval fortress offers a fascinating overview of the political and cultural life of the city at the time of the Medici, with rooms, secrets and masterpieces such as Giorgio Vasari’s ‘The Battle of Marciano’, the frescoes in the Salone dei Cinquecento, and Michelangelo’s famous sculpture, ‘The Genius of Victory’. Furthermore, the museum houses precious paintings, sculptures, tapestries and artefacts that testify to the cultural and historical richness of Florence.

Monday: 9 am-7 pm / Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9 am-7 pm / Thursday: 9 am-2 pm | Full price €12.50, reduced €10.00: purchase your ticket

The Santa Maria Novella Complex

Mere meters from Florence’s famous train station, the Santa Maria Novella Museum is known for its extraordinary collection of sacred artworks, including masterpieces by Giotto, Masaccio and Brunelleschi, offering a deep immersion into the art and culture of medieval and Renaissance Florence.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 9.30 am-5.30 pm / Friday: 11 am-5.30 pm / Sunday: 1 pm-5.30 pm | Full price €7.50, reduced €5.00: purchase your ticket

Museo Novecento

On the opposite side of Piazza Santa Maria Novella, you can find the museum dedicated to 20th and 21st century art, featuring the Alberto Della Ragione collection, donated to the city of Florence in the aftermath of the 1966 flood, as well as works by Giorgio De Chirico, Filippo De Pisis, Renato Guttuso, and more.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11.00 am to 8.00 pm/

closed Thursday | Full price €9.50, reduced €4.50: purchase your ticket

Brancacci Chapel

The Brancacci Chapel, found at the Santa Maria del Carmine Church in Florence, houses one of the most extraordinary fresco cycles of the Italian Renaissance, created mainly by Masaccio and Masolino.

Monday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am-5 pm / Sunday 1 pm-5 pm | Full price €10.00, reduced €7.00: purchase your ticket

Stefano Bardini Museum

Founded in the house and studio of the famous antiquarian Stefano Bardini, the renowned art connoisseur was a highly skilled and unscrupulous antiquarian who donated his collection to Florence in 1922. Among the most significant works are the Madonna dei Cordai by Donatello and the San Michele Arcangelo by Antonio del Pollaiolo.

Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 am-5 pm | Full price €7.00, reduced €5.50: purchase your ticket

Salvatore Romano Foundation

Situated in the vast medieval Cenacolo di Santo Spirito, one of the two oldest refectories preserved in Florence, you can find the artistic heritage of the patron Salvatore Romano, including works by Tino di Camino and Donatello.

Saturday and Monday: 11 am-5 pm / Sunday: 1 pm-5 pm | The ticket includes entry to the Brancacci Chapel. Full price €10.00, reduced €7.00: purchase your ticket

Forte Belvedere

Located at the top of the San Niccolò area, the charming Renaissance fortress offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Built in the 16th century to defend Florence, the fortress now hosts art exhibitions and cultural events during the summer.

Open from June 24 to October 8. Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 8 pm | Free admission

Gino Bartali Cycling Museum

A tribute to the legendary cyclist from Ponte a Ema, twice the Tour de France winner and hero of the Second World War. The museum explores Bartali's extraordinary life and the history of cycling.

Friday and Saturday: 10 am-1 pm / Sunday: 10 am-4 pm | Free admission

Photo credits: https://cultura.comune.fi.it/