Top 15 museums in Tuscany

A visit to Florence – or indeed to Tuscany – is simply not complete without a visit to the Uffizi. Filling the first and second floors of the grand 16th-century building are paintings and sculptures from throughout the ages, as well as masterpieces from some of the biggest names in Renaissance art like Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. Breathe in the legacy of the Medici dynasty as you walk through the corridors of this legendary gallery.

Home to the iconic Renaissance sculptures of Michelangelo, amongst them the magnificent David, the Accademia Gallery in Florence is without doubt one of the absolute must-sees of Tuscany. Inside you’ll find paintings by Ghirlandaio and Botticelli, learn about the techniques used in works such as wood panel painting and marble sculptures, and see world-famous pieces including Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines. Give yourself at least two hours to do justice to the Accademia, and look at the website for suggested itineraries to help you make the most of your visit.

Learn about history in a new way by spending some time in the Museo del Diario, or ‘Museum of Diaries’ in Pieve Santo Stefano. The museum’s permanent exhibition consists of “talking rooms”, where visitors find themselves immersed in Italy’s past as told by those who experienced it, through audiovisual narrations of real people’s diaries. Physical objects corresponding to the stories help bring the narrative alive and ensure that the heritage of this village, almost completely destroyed by the Nazis in World War Two, is not forgotten.

Historically an important civic hospital, Santa Maria della Scala nowadays houses a labyrinth of hallways and levels, bursting with glorious artwork and telling the story of Italian culture through the centuries. Complete with an archaeological museum, centuries-old stone sculptures and precious sacred relics, this place is an Aladdin’s cave that must be explored. Check out the options on the website for combined tickets to ensure you see and learn as much as possible during your time in Siena.

The Pecci Centre, at its time of opening in 1988, was Italy’s first contemporary art centre. Home to over one thousand works by leading international artists, this institution, with its UFO-like appearance, plays a leading role in satisfying the need for modernity amongst the many galleries and museums celebrating Italian culture’s glorious past. Showcasing everything that is new and avant-garde in painting, sculpture, architecture, design, fashion, photography, video, film, theatre, dance and music, the Pecci Centre demands a spot on your Tuscany bucket list.

The Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa came into existence all the way back in the 16th century, and holds a collection unmatched in historical and scientific richness by any other Tuscan establishment. Nowadays, the museum finds itself in the remarkable 14th century Carthusian Monastery of Calci, 11km outside of the city of Pisa. Learn all about cetaceans and paleontology, and see the largest freshwater aquarium in Italy at this truly fascinating museum.

Located on the southern side of the Lungarno river in the heart of the historic centre of Pisa, we find Palazzo Blu, a centre for temporary exhibitions and cultural activities managed by the Palazzo Blu foundation. This intriguing blue building dates back in part to the 11th century, and passed through the hands of some of the most powerful families of the city up until the latter half of the 20th century. The offering of the Palazzo Blu’s permanent collection ranges from 13th century sculptures to 20th century photography, so be sure to take a look!

The National Archaeological Museum in Chiusi, a town steeped in Etruscan history dating back to between the 9th and 1st centuries BC, is filled with well-preserved items found in the Etruscan tombs and settlements which have been discovered over the years. Cinerary urns, pottery, sculptures and jewellery are spread across two floors, through which you will be guided by a handy brochure offered at reception.

The aim of the Pescia Paper Museum is to preserve, pass down and portray the importance and evolution of the ancient art of making handmade paper, a craft which has been being exercised in and around Pescia since the end of the 15th century. With fully-functioning scale models and the ability to have a go at creating your own paper using the ancient techniques of the master paper-makers, this museum really offers an immersive experience into an easily-overlooked aspect of Tuscan history.

The Carrara and Michelangelo Museum is dedicated to exploring the relationship between Michelangelo, the city of Carrara, and marble, the material the sculptor-architect favoured in the creation of his masterpieces. The permanent exhibition is housed inside the 19th century Villa Fabbricotti, and is spread across six rooms which each concentrate on a different aspect of Michalengo’s stories and art. With temporary exhibitions too and behind-the-scenes look at a film about Michelangelo’s life, CARMI has a lot to offer.

Located at Piagnaro Castle in Pontremoli, the Museum of the Lungiana Stele Statues is a fascinating gem in a beautiful location. Dramatically lit inside the castle’s rooms, the mysterious statues were engraved by peoples who lived between the fourth and first millennium BC and provide an intriguing insight into times long past. The exhibition is complete with videos, translated into English and French through headsets, and the views from the castle are quite a treat.

Housed in a historic foundry, the Museum of Cast Iron Arts of Maremma tells the story of Follonica and its iron industry. Modern and family-friendly, this museum makes use of multimedia to create engaging, colourful exhibits across three floors. With one floor dedicated to art, one to story and one to production, MAGMA offers a thorough yet enjoyable learning experience for all.

Discover Puccini’s personality, passions and genius in the place he was born. The Puccini Museum in Lucca consists of the house in which the composer spent the first two decades of his life, as well as several nearby points throughout Lucca and its surroundings which help tell the maestro’s story. The museum’s smartphone app offers a virtual guide to aid you in your discovering of these places, while the birth home museum holds furniture, paintings, documents and memorabilia which paint a picture of Puccini’s life in the city.

A must-see on any visit to the most important port city of Tuscany is the Museum of the City of Livorno. Taking you through both the ancient past and more recent history of the coastal city, the museum, also known as the Museum of Civic Collections, presents a large exhibition of artworks, photographs, mementoes and archaeological artefacts that narrate the historic and cultural evolution of Livorno, from its origins to today. Housed in the 18th century Bottini dell’Olio building, in the heart of the Le Venezia neighbourhood, (once an oil storehouse with large rooms and rib vaulting), the succinct journey through Livorno’s history begins in the archaeology section with numerous artefacts from the Livorno and Pisa areas. Among the highlights on display are Garibaldi’s poncho and battle hat as well as the section dedicated to satire. It even includes a section on cinema and contemporary art so you really do get to learn about Livorno in just one place!

Livorno is also rich in artistic treasures. The Civic Museum of Giovanni Fattori is home to many of them with some of the finest Tuscan paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Located in the Villa Mimbeli of Livorno, the rich collection features great paintings by Giovanni Fattori such as the l'Assalto a Madonna della Scoperta as well as some highly expressive works of the Macchiaioli school (Telemaco Signorini, Silvestro Lega and Giovanni Boldini) and of the Postmacchiaioli movement (Eugenio Cecconi and Vittorio Corcos).