Florence Museums
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide to Museums in Florence, FI, Tuscany.
The Medici Chapels are a remainder of the times of the powerful Medici family of Renaissance Florence. Built onto what they considered as their own private church, the San Lorenzo Basilica, even Michelangelo was involved in designing the sacristy, where the church's valuables were stored.
The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is mainly comprised of artifacts removed from Florence's Duomo to save them from the elements or vandals, including the Baptistry's 15th century bronze doors by Ghiberti. Donatello's emotive sculptures are also a highlight of the collection.
A former Dominican convent, carefully restored and preserved, is the site for the San Marco Museum. Monks' cells are superbly frescoed and the library contains manuscripts on the art of meditation that were produced by the devout residents.
The former home of the Medicis, the Lorraines, the Bonapartes and the Savoys, this 15th century palace now houses six museums and galleries.
Housed in 13th century building that was once the residence for the head of police spies, the Bargello National Museum is crammed with Renaissance sculptures and luxurious tapestries.
Founded in 1927, the History of Science Museum has crude and ancient surgical instruments, what may be the oldest celestial globe in the world and, unbelievably enough, Galileo's finger on display.
Reservations should be made at least a day ahead to avoid queues and visit the many works of art in the 16th century Uffizi Museum, including Sandro Botticelli's famous The Birth of Venus.
Gallery of the Hospital of the Innocents
Brunelleschi's design for this refuge for abandoned children is holistic and appealing, and considered one of Florence's greatest architectural works.
Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico)
There is a rich collection of Egyptian artifacts to be found in the Renaissance city of Florence. The Archaeological Museum houses a 4th century BC sculpture of a Chimera, a mythical beast comprised of a lion, a goat and a serpant, plus a one-of-a-kind 16,000-year-old Hittite chariot.
Academy of Design (Accademia dell' Arte del Disegno)
The first school of drawing in Europe, the Academy of Design, now called the Academy of Fine Arts was founded in 1561 by the Medici family. Two hundred years later the Accademia Gallery was added, hung
with works from the masters to be studied by fledgling artists.
