Accademia Bartolomeo Cristofori

In the heart of the Oltrarno district, in San Frediano, there is a centre – the only one of its kind in Italy – dedicated entirely to the fortepiano. Here, amongst the original instruments, visitors have the opportunity to play instruments from the past and study in depth the interpretative and performance styles associated with them.

The Accademia del Fortepiano is housed in a building comprising a large exhibition space, offices, a library and an auditorium with a capacity of around 120 seats, where chamber music concerts, lectures and masterclasses are held.

Adjacent to the Academy is the workshop, where experts carry out maintenance and restoration work on antique instruments.

The main activity of the Bartolomeo Cristofori Academy, however, consists of concerts held from September through to the end of June, at which the leading names on the international concert scene have performed programmes of great cultural interest.