Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Museum of the Works of the Cathedral), Florence (must see)
It would be a colossal mistake to go to the Duomo and not explore this museum. Due to the abundance of wonderful attractions in Florence, it gets less attention, but there are quite a few things to like here, including the relative lack of crowds, reasonable size and hours of operation, large open spaces with exhibits spaced out (so that one's viewing is not distracted), and a broad range of artifacts from the very old to the very new. Surprisingly modern inside, it's also one of the very few air-conditioned museums in Florence, which is a plus if you visit during the summer months.
As many of the items that you see around the Duomo are actually copies, the originals are housed in this museum for safekeeping. The most astounding item is, perhaps, the time-machine-like recreation of the Duomo's ancient facade, displayed in original scale and well-supplied with many astounding fine details (the original huge gold door is particularly unforgettable).
Other original masterworks that once adorned the Duomo, such as its baptistry and bell tower, are presented in brightly illuminated displays with a good sequence where one can check each closely. Fortunately, a number of long benches were thoughtfully placed so that visitors can sit down and feast the eyes without becoming dizzy, as happens outside when trying to take it all it at once.
The whole museum can be easily covered in about two hours but, of course, art lovers may want to leave a little more room. Descriptions are in Italian and English so that you can be your own tour guide.
***MICHELANGELO'S MASTERPIECES***
Michelangelo's pietà displayed here, known as "The Deposition" or "The Lamentation over the Dead Christ", is quite different from the one in St. Peter's Basilica (Rome), but just as beautiful and very well presented in a simple room that truly allows one to immerse themselves in the art. Crafted during the last days of the maestro's life, this sculpture portrays Jesus' lifeless body being tenderly cradled by his mother Mary, accompanied by Mary Magdalene and Nicodemus, whose face, concealed by a hood, is believed to be a self-portrait. Regrettably left unfinished due to Michelangelo's relentless carving, which consumed the available stone, this artwork carries an abstract quality that resonates with the artistic concepts of the 20th century.
Tip:
Make sure not to overlook the rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy a prime view of the Duomo!
As many of the items that you see around the Duomo are actually copies, the originals are housed in this museum for safekeeping. The most astounding item is, perhaps, the time-machine-like recreation of the Duomo's ancient facade, displayed in original scale and well-supplied with many astounding fine details (the original huge gold door is particularly unforgettable).
Other original masterworks that once adorned the Duomo, such as its baptistry and bell tower, are presented in brightly illuminated displays with a good sequence where one can check each closely. Fortunately, a number of long benches were thoughtfully placed so that visitors can sit down and feast the eyes without becoming dizzy, as happens outside when trying to take it all it at once.
The whole museum can be easily covered in about two hours but, of course, art lovers may want to leave a little more room. Descriptions are in Italian and English so that you can be your own tour guide.
***MICHELANGELO'S MASTERPIECES***
Michelangelo's pietà displayed here, known as "The Deposition" or "The Lamentation over the Dead Christ", is quite different from the one in St. Peter's Basilica (Rome), but just as beautiful and very well presented in a simple room that truly allows one to immerse themselves in the art. Crafted during the last days of the maestro's life, this sculpture portrays Jesus' lifeless body being tenderly cradled by his mother Mary, accompanied by Mary Magdalene and Nicodemus, whose face, concealed by a hood, is believed to be a self-portrait. Regrettably left unfinished due to Michelangelo's relentless carving, which consumed the available stone, this artwork carries an abstract quality that resonates with the artistic concepts of the 20th century.
Tip:
Make sure not to overlook the rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy a prime view of the Duomo!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Museum of the Works of the Cathedral) on Map
Sight Name: Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Museum of the Works of the Cathedral)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
The city of Florence was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC as a settlement for veteran soldiers. It was built initially in the style of an army garrison – with main streets intersecting at today's Piazza della Repubblica. The original name, Fluentia, stems from its location between the two rivers; later, it was renamed Florentia, which means “flowering” or “flourishing”.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
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The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest – albeit also most controversial – of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities – including the banishing of several rivals – led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy”, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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The area south of Arno river, also called Oltrarno ("Beyond the Arno"), is a quieter place but not less interesting. Here you can find the Pitti Palace whose collection of paintings is second only to the Uffizi, and the vast Boboli Gardens once enjoyed by the Medici and the royal family. One of the first and most important examples of "Italian Gardens", they later served as... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Florence's Hidden Art Treasures
The “Cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence is one of Europe’s most beautiful and busiest destinations, home to some of the world's greatest pieces of art and architecture. The iconic masters like Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as their somewhat less-known but equally talented counterparts, such as Ghirlandaio, Sangallo and Castagno, have blessed this city with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here – besides the abundant variety – is not having to spend a lot of money for it.
In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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