Re-opening of the Great Museums in Florence Now that Tuscany has returned to yellow zone status, Florence's museums and cultural centers are reopening their doors to the public.
Uffizi Gallery & Palazzo Pitti
After a six-month closure for renovations, the second floor of the gallery - home to 15th- to 17th-century works of art by the likes of Titian, Caravaggio and Tintoretto - has finally reopened. The area, which makes up half the museum, has been under steady renovation since 2018.
But there was a surprise in store for the 1,516 visitors who visited on reopening day, May 4. Not only are there 14 new rooms and 129 works of art newly on display - highlights among the works include San Giovannino (around 1520) by Rosso Fiorentino, Daniele da Volterra’s Sacra Famiglia con Santa Barbara e l’Elia nel Deserto, which the Uffizi acquired in 2018 and Homer’s Riddle by Bartolomeo Passerotti, which was thought to have been lost - but the "new" Uffizi is allocating space to artists who have historically been excluded from the canon: women and people of color.
The new-look Uffizi also include a new entrance route to the gallery: a new entry system for slicker access and a major renovation. Visitors now pick up tickets and deposit coats in the west wing, before crossing a courtyard to the east wing where the museum route now starts.
Opening hours (Uffizi): 8:15am- 6:30pm. Opening hours (Palazzo Pitti): 1:30-6:30pm. While you can turn up on weekdays, booking is now required at weekends to limit numbers: www.uffizi.it/en/tickets or +39 055 294883.
Galleria dell’Accademia reopens to the public on Thursday, May 6 with a striking new layout. Over 600 artworks were moved during the closure, which the museum used to embark on much-needed renovations.
"Relocating all these artworks was a gigantic undertaking, I would dare to say. The work that we systematically started to solve the building's numerous conservation problems confronted us with a major challenge: rethinking the museum's exhibition layout, while respecting its collections. I'm happy with the result, which I think is captivating, and to be able to share it with our audience", says Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Accademia Gallery.
Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore
Florence Cathedral is open for visitors from Monday to Saturday, 10:15am-5pm and Brunelleschi’s Dome is open daily 12:45-7pm; Saturday and Sunday 12:45-5:30pm.
On May 16, Giotto’s Bell Tower will reopen daily 12:45-7pm, as will the Opera del Duomo Museum on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 10:15am-5pm. The Baptistery remains closed for restoration.
Boboli Gardens
On Tuesday, April 27, the Boboli Gardens reopen daily (apart from the first Monday of the month) from 8:15am to 6:30pm.
The Palazzo Vecchio Museum is open daily 9am-7pm and 9am-2pm on Thursdays. The Torre di Arnolfo is open daily 9am-5pm and 9am-2pm on Thursdays. Museo Novecento is open daily 11am-7pm and 11am-2pm on Thursdays. The Brancacci Chapel is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 5pm. The Stefano Bardini Museum will reopen on Friday, April 30 (Mondays, Friday-Sunday 11am-5pm).
Tickets can be booked online at bigliettimusei.comune.fi.it, by emailing info@musefirenze.it or calling +39 055 2768224. You must book in advance for weekend museum visits.
The Museum of San Marco is worth visiting for its architecture alone. This consists of the former Dominican convent restored and enlarged to its present size for Cosimo the Elder de' Medici by his favorite architect Michelozzo (1396-1472). Consecrated in 1443, this building was the scene of fervent religious activity, highlighted by personalities such as St. Antonino Pierozzi, Bishop of Florence, the Beato Angelico (c.1400-1450) and, later, Girolamo Savonarola.
The museum offers the visitor an example of a perfectly preserved fifteenth century convent, its rational and harmonious plan based on Brunelleschi's innovations. Everything is designed to coordinate and simplify the monastic life within its walls as much in its calm cloister as in the light-filled library, one of the finest interiors of the Renaissance.
On the other hand, the complex also contains the museum of Fra' Angelico's works in the form of frescoed interiors and the panels displayed in the large alms-house. The most famous is the Crucifixion painted in the Chapter House, the Annunciation, the Three Marys at the Tomb, Noli me tangere and others. The hall has been recently refurbished and now exceptionally hosts the diptych with the Nativity and The Prayer in the Garden lent by the Forlì Civic Museums.
Apart from Fra Angelico's paintings, the museum also has a very beautiful Last Supper frescoed by Domenico Ghirlandaio at the end of the fifteenth century, and in its library a fine series of illuminated manuscripts.
The Galileo Museum reopens with free admission and guided tours (for 10 people) from May 4, held from Tuesday to Friday at 11am, 3pm and 4.30pm, and Saturdays at 10am and 11.30am. Reservations are required by calling 055 265311 from Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm.
From May 10, the Santa Maria Novella museum complex will reopen, open from 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, and Sunday 1-5pm. Booking prior to the day of the visit is required. From May 18-25, it will not be possible to purchase the ticket online.
Book by calling 055 2768224, or by sending an email to info@musefirenze.it
Photo Exhibition – Mountain Villages around Cortona
The exhibition is promoted by the Fotoclub Etruria and consists of over 150 shots. It takes place in Palazzo Ferretti in via Nazionale, in the heart of the historic center of the Etruscan city. It can be visited every day, including weekends, until next June 13th and it is part of the celebrations for the association’s 50th anniversary.
"Among the many photographic reports made over the years, this is one of those we are most fond of - underlines the president of the Fotoclub Maurizio Lovari - because it has contributed to making known hidden corners, activities and little-known aspects of our territory and for having stimulated to appreciate its beauty and relevance in the history and life of the Cortonese community."
Inside the exhibition there are also some wooden works made by the artist Muffi who comes from the Cortonese mountains.
Our owners and members will be surprised to recognize in between the shots some familiar sights... the Pierle castle, some familiar wooden doors, steps, roofs.... of course! It is Borgo di Vagli before the restoration. Unmissable!
National Day of the Italian Historic Buildings Association
Back to the National Day of the Italian Historic Buildings Association (Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane - ADSI): Sunday May 23 over 300 castles, fortresses, villas, parks, gardens along the whole peninsula will open their doors for free to welcome again all those who want to immerse themselves in unique places of Italian history and artistic and cultural heritage.
After long months of restrictions, the ADSI National Day is an important opportunity to rediscover Italy's beauties by visiting some historic buildings that are part of the large Italian widespread museum. Their rediscovery is crucial to shed light on a heritage that is too often ignored and represents the best of Italian history and tradition.
Also Tuscany takes part in this initiative and opens the gates of charming venues off the beaten path.
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