Casa Buonarroti (Michelangelo Buonarroti House-Museum), Florence

Just a short stroll from Santa Croce Square, but away from the crowds, the Buonarroti House offers a quiet, intimate space to reflect on the legacy of Michelangelo. Originally owned by the artist himself and passed down through his nephew Leonardo, it was his great-nephew—Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger—who transformed the property into a loving tribute to one of the Renaissance era’s greatest minds.

While photography is not allowed, visitors are welcome to linger near two of Michelangelo’s earliest surviving sculptures. You’ll also see his wooden architectural model for what was meant to be the grand marble façade of the Basilica of Saint Lawrence—an ambitious project he was later denied, a loss he reportedly never got over.

The two early sculptural works to see here are “Madonna of the Stairs”, believed to be carved at age 15 and clearly influenced by Donatello, and “Battle of the Centaurs”, completed around age 17, where Michelangelo broke away from classical form and dove into his own expressive style. He valued this second piece so much that he kept it for the rest of his life.

Beyond the sculptures, the museum holds more than 200 restored drawings, letters, sketches, and personal objects—among them a sword, walking sticks, a pair of well-worn shoes, and even a possible self-portrait. Later generations added to the collection, including paintings that narrate key moments from Michelangelo’s life and career.

Tip: If you're planning to visit the Santa Croce complex, consider getting the combined ticket—it’s a great way to connect the dots between Florence’s artistic giants.