BEGO—the Benozzo Gozzoli Museum in Castelfiorentino
A journey into the heart of the Tuscan Renaissance through Benozzo Gozzoli’s frescoes and a museum at the forefront of art and inclusion
The BEGO (Benozzo Gozzoli Museum) in Castelfiorentino, opened in January 2009, presents a precious treasure trove that preserves and exalts one of the most important testimonies of the Tuscan Renaissance. This museum is dedicated to Benozzo Gozzoli, born in Florence around 1420, going on to be an outstanding artist who left indelible traces in the Vatican, the Florence of the Medici and the Camposanto Monumentale in Pisa. However, it was in Valdelsa, a land rich in history and tradition, that Benozzo forged a deep bond, producing some of his most significant and admired works.
In Castelfiorentino in particular, the artist frescoed two impressive aediculae: the Tabernacle of the Madonna della Tosse in 1484 and the Tabernacle of the Visitation in 1491. These masterpieces, originally displayed in open spaces, over the centuries suffered progressive degradation due to weathering and the passage of time. Between 1965 and 1970, the frescoes were removed from their original structures then restored and temporarily stored at the Vallesiana Municipal Library in Castelfiorentino for conservation purposes.
To fully return these masterpieces to the community and visitors, a suitable exhibition venue was needed. Thus it was that, thanks to the work of Architect Massimo Mariani plus the support of the local government and the Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze, the Benozzo Gozzoli Museum was founded. Located in the heart of Castelfiorentino, just a short walk from the train station, the museum ultimately offers a bright and modern space in which to admire the frescoes in their entirety and majesty, accompanied by their sinòpia, the preparatory drawing telling the story of the artist’s creative process.
The exhibition itinerary allows visitors to be immersed in the sacred scenes depicted by Benozzo, with special attention to iconographic and landscape details, such as the famous depiction of the meeting between Joachim and Anne at the Golden Gate, which includes a recognizable view of Castelfiorentino and the Elsa River, underscoring the strong link between art and territory.
A distinctive aspect of the museum is the Museo for ALL project, an initiative that renders the space accessible and inclusive for families and people with various disabilities, be they physical, sensory or cognitive. The Museum offers a broad range of dedicated services and activities, such as tactile pathways, guided tours in Italian Sign Language, workshops for people with Alzheimer’s disease (upon prior request), accessible audio guides, as well as educational projects for schools of all levels. This philosophy of inclusion transforms the Museum into an open and welcoming space for all, a place of culture that values diversity and shared experience.
The BEGO (Benozzo Gozzoli Museum) is thus not only a place to admire Renaissance masterpieces, but also a cultural and social hub combining tradition and contemporaneity, offering a rich and complete experience to every visitor, keeping alive the memory and heart of an artist who left a deep imprint on the history and culture of Valdelsa.
For information on accessibility: museobenozzogozzoli.it
