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The 10 Best Art Museums in Florence Historic Center, Tuscany
Florence is an art historian’s dream. The Galleria dell'Accademia bursts with works by Michelangelo, who is entombed within the frescoed walls of the Basilica di Santa Croce. Budding photographers can snap pics of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and serious shoppers can spend a blissful afternoon wandering the shops of Piazza Santo Spirito. Tuscan cuisine pays homage to the region’s bounty. Swipe a hunk of crusty bread across a pool of local olive oil and you’ll be instantly transported to your happiest place.
Restaurants in Florence
1. Gallerie Degli Uffizi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37,499 reviews
One of the great museums of the world, the Uffizi houses the premier collection of Italian Renaissance art, featuring works by such masters as Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo and da Vinci.
Reviewed By sanju_222323 - New Jersey, United States
If art interests you, then Uffizi Gallery is one place that you should not miss on your Florence tour. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Florence, Italy. Situated in the Piazza Della Signoria, it can be covered together with the L shaped beautiful square. With the world’s preeminent collection of Renaissance paintings from artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, Da Vinci and more, this is the obvious go-to museum for one day in Florence. However, it’s also enormous, with 101 rooms bursting with art. it still displays the Medici family's prominent art collection, which includes such masterpieces as Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," Raphael's "Madonna of the Goldfinch" and Titian's "Venus of Urbino." *** The 10 Most Important Artworks at The Uffizi Gallery ( just so that you don’t miss this, I did miss a few and found out when I was reading about it) The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli Coronation of the Virgin by Fra Angelico Laocoön and his Sons by Baccio Bandinelli Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino Portrait of Pope Leo X with Two Cardinals by Raphael Head of Christ by Unknown Tuscan Master Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Verrocchio Medusa by Caravaggio Doni Tondo by Michelangelo Venus of Urbino by Titian It houses a collection of awesome Renaissance time paintings of Botticelli, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Giotto, and Michelangelo to name a few. A minimum of 2-3 hours is needed to explore all the paintings and sculptures. Don’t miss the courtyard outside. It houses statues of Galileo, Dante, Da Vinci and other greatest of Renaissance times. Online Reservation of tickets is available and I suggest buy skip the line ticket. This is a must-visit place in Florence and it will easily take 4-6 hours. Just to know Uffizi's place is among the handful of world's top art museums. So don’t regret if you come across something and think, S**t, I was there, why I did not see this.
2. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,355 reviews
For preservation purposes, many significant works have been moved from the Duomo to this nearby museum.
Reviewed By PRS48 - Brisbane, Australia
Not to be missed! The main room on the ground floor contains Ghiberti's original bronze doors of the baptistery as well as the statues which adorned the medieval facade of the cathedral. A visit here is a logical step after seeing the interior of the Duomo and the museum has relatively short queues, especially as it opens at 9 a.m.
3. Palazzo Strozzi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 927 reviews
The Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi is a dynamic cultural centre that hosts an extensive programme of exhibitions, ranging from ancient art and the Renaissance right up to the modern era and contempoary art, on the Piano Nobile and in the Strozzina of what is one of the unquestioned masterpieces of Florentine Renaissance architecture. Life in the Palazzo revolves around its Renaissance courtyard, which is used as a venue for concerts, performance art, contemporary art installations, theatrical performances and a great deal more. The educational programmes and collateral activities designed to tie in with each exhibition make Palazzo Strozzi a unique experience that engages every single visitor, with a special emphasis on young people, families and children, thus connecting the Palazzo with Florence and with the whole of Tuscany.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Palazzo Strozzi is a perfect example of the ideals of a noble Renaissance residence, and the complex appears as if a small fortress in the heart of the city, a specific request made by Filippo Strozzi himself. The Strozzi family, undoubtedly one of the richest Florentine families until it was exiled from Florence in 1434, suffered through many political and financial competitions with the Medici family. After their exile, Filippo Strozzi worked to accumulate the funds which allowed him to regain his powerful position and re-enter the city of Florence. In 1466, he came back with a mission...squash his rivals...with a vengeance. Once within the walls of the city, his first step was to build a home that would be a physical representation of his power and wealth, more noticeable, more prestigious and...just plain bigger than everyone else's, especially that of the Medici family. Its construction began in 1489 under the direction of Simone del Pollaiolo, known as Il Cronaca, on the orders of Filippo Strozzi. The appearance of the palace is similar to a small fortress built to a rectangular plan with three floors. Though much restructured internally, it is possible to still appreciate the original plan and beauty of the exterior and in the courtyard of the building. The construction was finished in 1538 and stayed in the Strozzi family until 1937, when the last heir passed away. Since the Second World War the Palazzo has been Florence's largest temporary exhibition space hosting modern and contemporary art shows. The building is today one of the most important museums in the city: the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi organizes a varied and innovative program of exhibitions, events and special activities. Perhaps the most memorable exhibits include The Peggy Guggenheim (1949 and recently repeated in 2016), Gustav Klimt (1992), Botticelli and Filippino Lippi (who was the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2004), and Cézanne in Florence (the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2007). The Palazzo Strozzi now hosts three major exhibitions annually, and there is one permanent exhibition which concentrates on the history of Palazzo Strozzi. In those days of our visit we were able to enjoy the exhibition of Natalia Goncharova with Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso.
4. Sala del Perugino
5. Galleria dell'Accademia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31,647 reviews
Europe's first school of drawing, this museum of art is chiefly famous for its several sculptures by Michelangelo, notably his David, in addition to an extensive collection of 15th- and 16th-century paintings.
Reviewed By Darren_C_Thomas - Brisbane, Australia
The Accademia is a wonderful art gallery in Florence which houses arguably the most famous statue in the world - Michelangelo's David which is simply perfection in a sculpture. Whilst the Accademia is far smaller than the Uffizi, it still houses a number of important works. Also the historical musical instrument collection is well worth taking the time to visit. To avoid the queues which are long and slow moving as well as always present, make sure you get a skip the line ticket -especially if you have children or impatient teens. We booked for 3:15pm and arrived at 3:05pm whilst we still had to queue in a small line, was into the gallery by 3:20pm
6. Museo Nazionale del Bargello
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,996 reviews
Housed in the Palazzo del Podesta (1255 AD) as the residence of Florence's chief magistrate, this museum houses an unrivalled collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture..
Reviewed By Odyssey54128356707
I teach in Montepulciano on a study abroad program from the University System of Georgia, headquartered and administered by my home campus, Kennesaw State University, on a fairly regular basis, and Florence is one of our destinations. I am an art historian with a BA in Renaissance and Baroque painting and sculpture, so unlike most of my colleagues, I always want to take my students on a side trip to the Bargello to see the original Baptistery Doors competition panels of Brunelleschi and Ghiberti, Donatello's David, Giambologna's Mercury and some lesser known Michleangelo reliefs and other sculptures. They are always thrilled to do so, as am I. I recommend a visit to the Museo Nazionale dei Bargello to anyone visiting Florence.
7. Church and Museum of Orsanmichele
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 981 reviews
This extraordinary structure testifies to the historic evolution of the city, which once served as a granary in the gardens of the Sisters of San Michele during Florence's mercantile period.
Reviewed By artmac21 - Inverness, United Kingdom
This was my last stop in Florence and I am so glad I went in. The church is small but has the most beautiful tarbancle I’ve ever seen. It’s very quiet and peaceful and has some art. I went onto the museum which houses the original statues, that you see outside in the niches. They are stunning and worth viewing, especially the four crowned saints which is so detailed you can see the stubble! Finally, the upper floor has the most stunning views of Florence, giving you a panorama of the city, with the Duomo to one side and the Palazzo Vecchio to another. I didn’t climb the Duomo as both the heat and the wait seemed too much. This was such a delight. It was quiet and the stairs are manageable, although still a hike. I was so pleased I had left this to last as it did allow me to see Florence in all its glory. An unexpected delight.
8. Palazzo Pitti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,738 reviews
A complex of art museums housing some of the most celebrated treasures in the city..
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
The palace, which houses several important museums, was built in the second half of the 15th century by project of Filippo Brunelleschi for rich banker Luca Pitti. Pitti's intention was to build a palace that would overshadow Palazzo Medici. However, the building could not really be compared to the size or luxury of the Medici family palace. Luca Pitti died in 1472 and the construction remained unfinished. The architectural significance of this palace lies in its simplicity and strict lines. The stone facade is roughly finished in a rural style. The original building, formed by two floors and the ground floors, with only five windows on each floor, was purchased in 1550 by Eleonora da Toledo, the wife of the Grand Duke Cosimo I de'Medici, thus becoming the official residence of the family. The later rulers of these lineage are upgraded palace and arranged gardens around it (Boboli Park). Most of the upgrades date from the 17th and early 18th centuries. As regards the domestic life inside the palace, it is know that it was the home of several components of the family who were distributed in different private apartments. The rooms on the left wing belonged to the Grand Duke, while those on the right side were used by the heir. The lateral wings housed the apartments of their wives. The rooms on the second floor contained the large library, while the side rooms were used for the children. The left side on the ground floor housed the apartment that the Grand Duke used in summer. An important detail of history is the fact that Anna Maria Luisa de 'Medici (11 August 1667 - 18 February 1743) was the last heiress of the House of Medici. She was the patron of the arts, and she decided to donate the Medici's large and rich collection, including the contentsof the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti and the Medicean villas which inherited after the death of her brother Gian Gastone in 1737, and her Palatine treasures to the Tuscan State, on the a condition that no part of it could be removed from Florence. During the nineteenth century, the Pitti Palace was used by Napoleon Bonaparte and later was the residence of the King of United Italy. In 1919, the palace, with its rich artistic treasures, was donated to the Italian people by King Vitorio III Emanuel. Today, the palace and the Boboli gardens house the Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Costume Gallery, the Porcelain Museum and the Museum of Carriages. They include works by Titian, Giorgione, Rafael and Rubens, among others.
9. Galleria Palatina in Palazzo Pitti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,545 reviews
Reviewed By Rowland45 - Iowa City, United States
The Pitti is getting crowded but still much less so than it's brethren on the Uffizi side. The Palatine galleria was established by the Hapsburgs after they became the rulers of Florence using mainly art belonging to the Medici family. Many changes were made to the palace but one thing never changed and that is the grandeur, The Palatine displays more art than one can absorb in one visit. It is really crammed in. There are numerous masterpieces on display among ho-hum pieces. Go drink it in. Try to visit the other parts of the palace too. Unless you have extra time don't bother with the gardens They are large but not particularly attractive..
10. Chiostro dello Scalzo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
This little-known cloister is one of the most beautiful spaces in the city, holding some of the most important frescoes of the 1500s. The monochrome walls of the cloister feature the masterpiece frescoes of Andrea del Sarto.
Reviewed By SelbyDale - Saint Paul, United States
As others have noted, this is one of those special places you are happy to find in Florence. The columned space with the Andrea del Sarto frescoes on the life of St. John the Baptist is lovely. Using monochromatic pigments gives the room a very quiet feel. This was the chapel of the Confraternity of St. John the Baptist and Sarto was a member. They valued humility and you sense this in the space. This is one of those museums where you need to plan your visit and keep your fingers crossed that it will be open. 08:15-13:50 on Monday and Thursday on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday of the month on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month
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