Florence is the center of the Italian Renaissance, for most visitors it is like an open-air museum. The market squares and the buildings themselves are evidence of the history of architecture and past eras. Cathedrals, churches and many palaces were designed, built and decorated by many of the most illustrious artists of the time, from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo. Which Florence museum is worth visiting in the first place?
The heart of the Italian Renaissance
The wonders of this city are contained, as in a treasury, in fabulous museums, each of which displays its own part of Italian art, history and culture. This is an inexhaustible source of knowledge and beauty. How not to get lost in the endless world of Florentine art and fully enjoy this city and its attractions? Here are some of the museums whose visit will not leave anyone indifferent.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum
In Florence, you can visit a wonderful and informative exhibition dedicated to the universal genius of Leonardo da Vinci. This is an impressive and unusual work, where real machines and mechanisms invented by the great scientist were reproduced in every detail. Everything is made of wood and, most surprisingly, it works. There are exhibits that are even allowed to be touched, for example, using a rotating crane model, as well as other things invented by da Vinci. Many models are presented interactively - an oil press, a rolling mill, an odometer, a theater machine, a hydraulic saw, an anemometer, an anemoscope, a hygrometer, a Leonardo parachute and much more.
Uffizi Gallery
Another famous museum in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery, which presents a rich variety of unique masterpieces and works of art, most of which date back to the Renaissance. These are the works of such great Italian artists as Botticelli, Giotto, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and others. Most of the work dates back to the period between the 12th and 17th centuries. The Uffizi Gallery is a must-see destination for art lovers, it is visited annually by millions of tourists from around the world, the long lines at the entrance to the museum are almost as famous as its masterpieces. Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15 to 18.50, the ticket price is 9.5 euros (6.25 for European citizens over 18 and under 25).
National Bargello Museum
In one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings of the city is the Bargello National Museum (Florence), the construction of which was begun in 1255. It was originally the residence of the chief of spy police, in whose honor he received his name. The building began to be used as the National Museum in the mid-19th century. What the Uffizi offers in painting, Bargello offers in sculpture, the courtyard and interiors contain some of the Tuscan Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Cellini, Giambolonia and Donatello. Here are priceless ivory exhibits, gems, tapestries and weapons. Hours: daily from 8.15 to 13.50, a ticket costs 4 euros.
Museum of San Marco
It is worth visiting the Art Museum of Florence San Marco for its architectural value. It consists of a former Dominican monastery, restored and enlarged to the present size for Cosimo the elder Medici by his beloved architect Michelozzo (1396-1472). This building was a place of ardent religious activity, it is associated with such prominent personalities as Beato Angelico (1400-1450) and later - Gerolamo Savonarola. The museum has very beautiful frescoes, including The Last Supper (Ghirlandaio) of the late 15th century, as well as a wonderful series of manuscripts. Opening hours: Monday-Friday - from 8.15 to 13.50, Saturday and Sunday - from 8.15 to 18.50. Ticket price is 7 euros.
Museum of the History of Science
The Museum of the History of Science has a large collection of tools in carefully organized layouts that serve as evidence that Florence's interest in science has been as great as the interest in art since the 13th century. The physicians and Lorraines were very interested in the natural sciences, physics and mathematics, which prompted them to collect precious and visually beautiful tools along with paintings and other objects of art. It is known that Francesco Medici contributed to various scientific and artistic research in the princely workshops, as well as members of the Medici family in the 17th century defended and personally followed experiments in physics. The original scientific tools used by Galileo Galilei are very important. Ticket price - 6.5 euros.
