The 5 must-see museums in Tuscany

Tuscany is world-famous for its beautiful landscapes and marvellous architecture, but also and above all for its countless museums. There are so many that you are spoilt for choice. Some of these museum spaces owe their success not only to their permanent collections, but also to the extraordinary temporary exhibitions they host.

But what are the must-see museums in Tuscany? We have selected five that we highly recommend you visit.

The Uffizi

One of the most famous museums in Tuscany, which you cannot miss under any circumstances in the world, is the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Housed in the large building constructed between 1560 and 1580 to a design by Giorgio Vasari, it holds one of the most important and interesting collections of ancient sculptures and paintings, ranging from medieval to modern times. The number of works found there is incalculable, so our advice is to plan your visit in advance by preparing a programme tailored to your interests. The collection of paintings is rich in masterpieces not only from the Renaissance but also by masters of the German, Flemish, Dutch and French tradition. No less interesting is the collection of statuary and busts of the Medici family from antiquity.

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

Also in Florence, there is another museum not to be missed, the Gallery of the Academy, also known as the ‘Michelangelo museum’ because it exhibits the largest number of sculptures in the world by the Renaissance artist, including the famous statue of David, considered one of the greatest masterpieces in the entire history of art. In addition to Michelangelo’s splendid sculptures, the gallery also holds other valuable works of art. Don’t miss: the prestigious collection of gold background paintings from the 13th to the early 15th century; the collection of plaster models and casts by Lorenzo Bartolini; and the earthenware model of the Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna. But it does not end there, as it also houses a collection of musical instruments from the private collections of the Medici and Lorraine families.

Leonardo Museum in Vinci

Also undoubtedly worth a visit is the Museo Leonardiano in Vinci, a charming village in the Tuscan countryside famous throughout the world for being the birthplace of the revolutionary Renaissance genius. The museum houses one of the richest collections dedicated to Leonardo and, more generally, to the history of Renaissance technology. The exhibition is divided into several locations: Palazzina Uzielli, which houses the sections dedicated to construction machinery, textile manufacturing technology, mechanical watches and anatomy; Castello dei Conti Guidi, with sections dedicated to civil engineering, war machines, flight, mechanisms, instruments, hydraulics and river navigation; and the historic Villa del Ferrale, which houses a section on Leonardo’s life as a painter.

Chianciano Terme Archaeological Water Museum

If you are an archaeology enthusiast, we recommend a visit to the marvellous Museo Civico Archeologico delle Acque in Chianciano Terme, considered one of the most beautiful Etruscan museums in Italy. Housed in an old granary from the early 19th century, it is so called to emphasise the close link between the population of the municipal territory and water, particularly thermal water. Through exhibits, reconstructions, descriptions, images and short videos, the museum illustrates all aspects of the life and death of the Etruscan people in Tuscany. The exhibition is spread over four floors and is divided into thematic sections. Of particular interest is the collection of canopic jars, i.e. cinerary vases in human form, from the excavations in the necropolis of Tolle.

Museum of the Opera del Duomo of Pisa

Finally, you cannot miss the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Pisa located in the marvellous Piazza dei Miracoli, included in the Unesco World Heritage List in 1987. Housed in the former hall of the Chapter House of the Primaziale, dating back to the 13th century, the museum is dedicated to the evolution of Pisa’s art and especially to the flourishing sculptural production that developed in the centuries-old building site of the square. A large number of masterpieces removed over the centuries from the original monuments for conservation purposes can be admired. Among the numerous works present are the sculptural groups made by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, the bronze door-knockers made by Bonanno Pisano, the monumental 12th-century ‘Burgundian’ wooden crucifix, and the small ivory statue of the Madonna and Child by Giovanni Pisano.