The civic museums of Florence

From Palazzo Vecchio to the Brancacci Chapel, from Vasari to Masaccio: discover the treasures of the Civic Museums of the City of Florence.

1. Palazzo Vecchio Museum

The symbolic monument of the city, it has served as the seat of government for over seven centuries. Palazzo Vecchio bears extraordinary witness to all the key phases of Florentine history and art. From the remains of the Roman theater preserved underground, the journey continues through the sumptuous Monumental Quarters decorated by famous 15th and 16th-century artists, finally reaching the spectacular panoramic views from the crenellated wall walk and the tower.

Among the masterpieces housed in the building are Donatello’s Judith and Holofernes, Bronzino’s paintings in the Chapel of Eleonora, Michelangelo’s The Genius of Victory.

2. Santa Maria Novella Monumental Complex

Located just steps away from Florence’s main train station, the Museum of Santa Maria Novella is renowned for its extraordinary collection of sacred art. Featuring masterpieces by Giotto, Masaccio, and Brunelleschi, it offers a deep immersion into Medieval and Renaissance Florentine art and culture.

3. Museo Novecento

On the opposite side of Piazza Santa Maria Novella lies the museum dedicated to 20th and 21st-century art. It houses the Alberto Della Ragione collection, donated to the city following the 1966 flood, and features works by Giorgio De Chirico, Filippo De Pisis, Renato Guttuso, and others.

4. Brancacci Chapel

Located within the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, the Brancacci Chapel houses one of the most extraordinary fresco cycles of the Italian Renaissance, primarily created by Masaccio and Masolino.

5. Stefano Bardini Museum

The museum is housed in the former home and studio of the famous antiquarian Stefano Bardini. A refined art connoisseur and highly skilled, bold dealer, he donated his collection to Florence in 1922. Significant works include Donatello’sMadonna of the Ropemakers and Antonio del Pollaiolo’sSaint Michael the Archangel.

6. Salvatore Romano Foundation

The foundation is located in the vast medieval Cenacolo (Last Supper) of Santo Spirito, one of the two oldest monastic refectories preserved in Florence. It protects the artistic legacy of the patron Salvatore Romano, including works by Tino di Camaino and Donatello.

7. Forte Belvedere

Perched atop the San Niccolò district, this evocative Renaissance fortress offers an extraordinary panorama of the city. Built in the 16th century to defend Florence, the Fort now hosts art exhibitions and cultural events during the summer season.

8. Gino Bartali Cycling Museum

This museum is a tribute to the legendary cyclist from Ponte a Ema, a two-time winner of the Tour de France and a World War II hero. The museum chronicles Bartali’s extraordinary life and the broader history of cycling.