Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio, north of Uffizi Gallery, once was the home of Cosimo I de Medici before he moved to Pitti Palace. It was built by Arnolfo di Cambio between the 13th and 14th century and the interior later was redesigned by Vasari to create a series of lavish rooms and apartments. An example of such grandeur is the Salone dei Cinquecento, which once held banquets, and has fresco’s by Vasari and a statue, Genio della Vittoria, by Michelangelo. In the studiolo there are paintings by various Florentine Mannerists while the Cappella dei Gigli was decorated by Domenico Ghirlandaio in 1514.

From the top of parapet on this building, there is a great view across the city.

Bargello National Museum Florence (Museo Nazionale del Bargello)

One of the first museums that tourists visit is Bargello National Museum (Museo Nazionale del Bargello), to the south of the Duomo. It is situated in Palazzo del Bargello and holds Tuscany’s most magnificent collection of Renaissance sculpture in Italy.

The Bargello National Museum Florence is arranged over three floors and into a Courtyard. Works include Bacchus by Michelangelo, Ganimede (Ganymede) and Narciso (Narcissus) by Benvenuto Cellini, Mercurio Volante (Winged Mercury) by Giambologna, and David, Marzocco and San Giorgio (St George) by Donatello. There are also two bronze panels by Ghiberti and Brunelleschi.

Museum of San Marco Florence (Museo di San Marco)

Museum of San Marco Florence has works by Fra Angelico, Fra Bartolommeo, Sant’Antonius and Girolamo Savonarola. The works such as Disposizione di Cristo, Pala di San Marco and Madonna delle Ombre by Fra Angelico are seen in the luminous frescos on the museum walls.

Medici Chapels Florence (Cappelle Medicee Florence)

The Medici Chapels Florence (found to the west of Basilica di San Lorenzo) were built by the great Medici Family and hold great historical and architectural interest. They were designed by Buontalenti and were expected to display the Medici family’s great wealth and power. The Chapel of the Princes is adorned with marble, Pietra Dura and various inlays, while the New Sacresty was created by Michelangelo and has works such as Night and Day, Dawn and Dusk and Madonna with Child. Works by Pietro and Ferdinando Tacca (gilded bronze statues), and Pietro Benvenuti (the dome) can also be seen.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo Florence

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo Florence (behind the Duomo) houses many sculptural treasures. These include equipment used by Brunelleschi to build the dome, the famous Pietà by Michelangelo, the Lives of the Artists by Vasari, 5 panels of the Gates of Paradise and cravings by Donatello of the prophet Habakkuk and Mary Magdelene. Other works of note are Boniface VIII by Arnolfo di Cambio and Cantoria by Luca della Robbia.

Useful Information and links:

Book Ahead
For a fee, book a ticket to save time:
Firenze Musei
Tel: + 39 055 29 48 83
Open: Monday to Friday 08:30-18:30h, Sunday 08:30-12:30h.

Or online with:
Weekend a Firenze

Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signora
Tel: + 39 055 276 8224
Open: During the summer: 09:00-23:00 Monday and Friday, 09:00:19:00h Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 09:00-14:00h Thursday and Sunday.
During the winter: 09:00-19:00h Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 09:00-14:00h Thursday, Sunday and holidays.

Bargello National Museum Florence (Museo del Bargello)
Via del Proconsolo 4
Tel: + 39 055 238 8606
Fax: + 39 051 238 8699
E-mail: museobargello@libero.it
Open: 08:15-13:50h Tuesday to Saturday: alternating Sunday’s and Monday’s.

San Marco Museum Florence (Museo di San Marco)
Piazza San Marco 3
Tel: + 39 055 238 8608
Fax: + 39 055 238 8704
Open: 08:15-13:50h Tuesday to Friday, Sat 08:15-18:50h; alternating Sunday’s and Monday’s.

Medici Chapels Florence (Cappelle Medicee)
Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini 6
Tel: + 39 055 238 8602
Open: 08:15-17:00h Tuesday to Saturday; alternating Sunday’s and Monday’s.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo Florence
Piazza del Duomo 9
Tel: + 39 055 230 2885
Open: 09:00-19:30h Monday to Saturday, 13:00-17:00h Sunday.