Location: Florence
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What to do and see in Florence, Tuscany: The Best Specialty Museums
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.
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1. Museum of the Cenacolo of Andrea del Sarto
2. Mus.e Firenze
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 169 reviews
The Museo dei Ragazzi is located inside Palazzo Vecchio, one of its best known iconic monuments and the most important civic museum of Florence as well. Today, in the fastous halls of Cosimo’s Court are located also the activities of the Museo dei Ragazzi: there are two small theatres, one called the Stanza delle Storie di Bia e Garcia for younger visitors (from 3 to 7), and the other, known as the Civiltà del Rinascimento a Firenze for older children; the Museum also offers a large multimedia zone, a workshop for painting activities and an area devoted to games for exploring perspective.
Reviewed By LucyGoes
I really liked this place - full of history and memories of Medici family. Wonderful architecture and art can be seen here, gorgous place! Amazing paintings, sculptures and oveall the big hall of incredible heigth and space. I could almost breathe the history here.
3. Museo del Ciclismo Gino Bartali
4. Museo Horne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Taking its name from the English collector Herbert P. Horne (1864-1916,) this art museum houses an impressive group of 14th-century Florentine and Sienese works plus Giotto's St. Stephen, which is rare and the highlight of the collection.
Reviewed By LaModa1 - Florence, Italy
In the midst of numerous places to view art history in the city, this jewel of a museum is simply beautiful and serene. It is in a lovely Renaissance palazzo and each room you will find a treasure rich in art, sculpture, furnishings and objects with an interesting history. There were no long lines or crowds, it was great. The guide was extremely knowledgeable of the time periods and all the works displayed which ranged from the 13th - 17th c. She was gracious, informed and made herself available for any questions. It's really a little gem.
5. Museo di San Marco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,959 reviews
Opened to the public in 1869, this museum houses the largest collection of sacred art in Florence including a sweeping fresco by Giovanni Antonio Sogliani and a superb collection of works by Mariotto Albertinelli.
Reviewed By JurreSilbi - Krakow, Poland
Museum is located in the Dominican convent, where Fra Angelico was a monk and a famous painter. His work is shown in a separate room at the ground level. Have a look at tabernaculum which is a great piece of art. The wooden frame was made by Ghirlandaio, another great artist. Ghirlandaio’s work, a polychromy in the refectory presenting the Last Supper is also on display. Have a deeper look at the face of Saint Paulus (the person with knife). Don’t miss the upper floor where there are monks’ rooms with paintings. Here it is time to recall another monk, Girolamo Savonarola who lived here, and his influence on the history of Florence and Medici family. Really dramatic times. And the library with a huge collection of books is also worth a visit. This museum accepts Firenzecard. Be also prepared that some attractions might be closed even if they should be available, according to the schedule.
6. 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.
7. Stibbert Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 709 reviews
A museum showcasing the eccentric and eclectic tastes of Frederick Stibbert, a 19th century art collector.
Reviewed By Phillips3675 - Brooklyn, United States
Magnificent collection of arms and armor set in a glorious mansion in a lovely park. Tens of thousands ( literally) of beautiful objects laid out in a fantasy house. Not what I expected to find in florence but a great place Definitely worth visiting
8. Museo Opificio delle Pietre Dure
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By LSQRD1 - Kent, United States
Florence is full of many attractions and museums. The small museum is unique and features impressive craftsmanship. When I visited there was only one or two other people and so it made for a very peaceful an interesting visit. Worth a stop if you have the time and are in the area.
9. Cappella Brancacci
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 640 reviews
The church and convent of the Carmine in Florence were founded shortly after the middle of the thirteenth century, by a group of Carmelite monks from Pisa. In the church we find the Brancacci Chapel, a masterpiece known around the world for its frescoes of the Life of Saint Peter by Masaccio and Masolino. Created between 1425-1427, the frescoes were left incomplete and finished by Filippino Lippi between 1481 and 1482
Reviewed By jennyf818 - Montreal, Canada
The Chapel is definitely worth seeing,as the frescoes are breath-taking. Much of the Church is cordoned off due to restorations but do not let that prevent you from visiting. As small as the Chapel is, the frescoes run the length and breadth of the walls - an absolute marvel to see! An audio/video guide is also provided to further elaborate on the works of art in the Chapel.
10. Museo di Palazzo Davanzati
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 650 reviews
This ancient palazzo is layered with history, starting from the Middle Ages. It gives a fascinating and valuable look into a typical wealthy home of the Medieval to Renaissance era, complete with frescoes and period furniture.
Reviewed By nicolass208 - Milan, Italy
the structure of the palace and its content, the whole thing gives you a very clear idea of how people were living at the time. and nice pieces of art ,well displayed .nice video on the ground floor .lovely visit
