Discovering the museums of Florence

Considered as the Birthplace of the Renaissance, it is not surprising that Florence is the stage and shelter of so many of the most iconic works of art associated with this period. Even if you do not enter any museum - which is something that we strongly do not recommend! - stepping on the floors of Florence, walking on its streets, resting in its squares and looking at its buildings is by itself an overwhelming experience, as the capital of Tuscany is considered by many as one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

But let's talk about museums. As in so many trips - especially the shorter ones, the "weekend getaways" - the hardest part is to shorten the wish list. What cannot be missed at all? What have we dreamt of seeing from the moment we read that book, or watch that series? Are we lucky enough to be able to visit some temporary exhibition? Or can we find some hidden treasure in some corner of the city?

Here are some suggestions for museums to visit in Florence. Take a chance and undertake an intense challenge or visit your favorites in the intervals between tasting the Florentine cuisine, the obligatory passage through the iconic Ponte Vecchio and, of course, the magnificent Cathedral - or Duomo - that dominates the city's landscape.

Painted Ladies at Alamo Square

Uffizi Gallery
One of the most important museums in Florence and in all of Italy, is also the most visited, which is more than understandable, since it features works such as the "Madonna di Ognissanti," by Giotto, or "The Birth of Venus," by Botticelli. If you can only visit one museum in Florence, Uffizi is undoubtedly an option to consider.

Galleria dell'Accademia
Here, you can find the largest collection of Michelangelo's sculptures in the world, including, of course, the celebrated "David," considered one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance. In addition to being able to admire this incredible sculpture, more than five meters tall, in the Galleria dell'Accademia, you can also get to know Italian works of art that date back to the thirteenth century and many others, the most recent being from the 19th century.

Palazzo Vecchio
It is not every day that a visit to a City Hall is recommended, but Palazzo Vecchio is also one of the museums not to be missed in Florence. Here, you can not only admire many of the works of art of the city, but also - and perhaps above all - admire the Architecture and learn a little more about the History of the city by touring the outdoor patio, the "themed" rooms, and the Tower.

Museo Nazionale del Bargello
The first national museum in Italy, the Bargello Museum is impressive both for its architecture and its contents, which include numerous sculptures that are masterpieces of the Renaissance - by Michelangelo and Donatello, for example - and from many other periods. The Palace of Bargello, in reality a fortress that began to be built in the 13th century, is the oldest public building in Florence. 

Pier 39

Palazzo Strozzi
The incredible Palazzo Strozzi, built in the 15th century to rival the Palazzo Medici, is today one of the most important museums in Florence. Nowadays, a dynamic cultural center, it is one of the most important points of the city's culture, which seeks to "join the old with the new." Thus, in the exhibition curriculum of Palazzo Strozzi are Renaissance masters such as Donatello and great names of modern and contemporary art such as Ai Weiwei or Marina Abramović.


Museo Galileo
For Science fans, a visit to Museo Galileo, also known as the Museum of Science History, is an experience not to be missed if you are in Florence. Guardian of one of the largest collections of scientific instruments dating from the Renaissance period to the 20th century, this museum offers a trip through the History of Science and a series of interactive experiences.

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