National Archaeological Museum of Florence: 10 reasons to visit

The museum tour begins with the Egyptian collection, which was enriched in the 19ᵗʰ century thanks to the work of Ippolito Rosellini, who collaborated with Jean-François Champollion to decipher the hieroglyphics. Among the most fascinating finds are sarcophagi, statues, mummies, stelae and even a small wooden chariot from the time of Tutankhamun. The rooms are set up to recreate the atmosphere of an Egyptian temple or tomb, with fake columns, hieroglyphics and a starry ceiling that dazzles adults and children alike.

Among the most famous pieces is the Chimera of Arezzo, an Etruscan bronze statue dating from the 5ᵗʰ century B.C., unearthed in Arezzo in 1500. This mythological creature, with a lion’s head and body, a goat’s head protruding from its back and a serpent’s tail, represents Bellerophon’s adversary and bears on its joint an Etruscan inscription, “tincsvil,” dedicated to the god Tinia.

In the same room is L’Arringatore (The Orator), an Etruscan bronze depicting Aulus Metellus, likely an important politician of the time. The pose and toga suggest his public function, while the realism of his face renders this work a true masterpiece of Etruscan art.

The museum also preserves exceptional Etruscan sarcophagi, such as that of Larthia Seianti, a wealthy woman from Chiusi, depicted lying on a kline and adorned with rich jewels, and the sarcophagus of the Amazons, adorned with scenes of battles between men and mythological warriors, all unique and highly dynamic.

Prominent among the Roman and Greek masterpieces are the Idolino of Pesaro, a nude young man portrayed holding a vine, and the François Vase, a large Greek krater embellished with detailed mythological scenes, found near Chiusi and now considered the most famous vase in the world due to its narrative complexity.

Prominent among the large-scale Etruscan bronze statues is the Minerva of Arezzo, discovered in 1541 and restored several times throughout the centuries. The goddess of wisdom and war, made with the lost-wax technique, shows the mastery of Etruscan artisans and the attention of the Medici to preserving the artistic heritage.

The museum likewise safeguards interesting pieces related to the Medici family, such as the Medici Corridor, a secret passageway that connected the building to the Church of Santissima Annunziata. Used to allow young noblewomen to attend mass without being seen, today the corridor is only accessible on special occasions.

Extending outside the museum is a vast monumental garden containing Etruscan tombs, burial mounds and funerary monuments in an open-air itinerary dedicated to Etruscan culture. First referenced in the 17ᵗʰ century as an agricultural area of the Medici residence, the garden was reorganized in the 18ᵗʰ century according to an Italian-style layout and, at the end of the 19ᵗʰ century, transformed into a veritable en plein air museum, where reconstructed Etruscan tombs create an evocative dialog between landscape, archeology and history.

The numismatics section, reopened in 2019, displays some 2,000 coins including Etruscan, Greek, Roman and modern coins out of a total of more than 60,000 pieces, including medieval and modern issues, offering a journey through the history of Mediterranean currencies.

One of the world’s most important collections of ancient gems, displayed in an elegant, historicized hallway. Here are Egyptian scarabs, cameos plus Greek, Etruscan and Roman gemstones collected by the Medici and Lorraine families.

The museum is undergoing a phase of renovation and refitting of its halls, with ongoing works scheduled through 2025–2026. Some rooms may be temporarily inaccessible during these operations, but the museum never closes completely to the public and many major collections remain open to visitors, including the Egyptian and 2ⁿᵈ floor sections.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum organizes guided tours, special evening openings, lectures and educational workshops for families and schools, ensuring the visit is interesting for adults and children.

The entrance to the museum is located on Via Capponi, Piazza Santissima Annunziata. Among the services, tickets can also be purchased for the Accademia Gallery or the Uffizi at the museum’s ticket office.

The National Archaeological Museum of Florence is thus an ideal destination for those who love art, history and archeology, offering a unique experience for adults and children alike, among ancient civilizations and timeless masterpieces.

For more information, visit the website.