National Archaeological Museum of Florence, a dip in time
The National Archaeological Museum of Florence is situated inside an ancient palace in Piazza Santissima Annunziata built in honour of Princess Maria Maddalena de’ Medici. Opened in the 1870, over the years it has greatly increased collections and works inside it, becoming today the site containing the best of excavations of all Tuscany. The National Archaeological Museum of Florence boasts numerous Roman, Etruscan, Egyptian and Greek finds, found in tombs or coming from Medici and Lorenzo treasures. Alongside these, there are also vestiges of Paleovenet, Villanovian, High Middle Ages and Ancient Anatolia cultures, as well as vestiges of the Renaissance and bronze works inspired by ancient cultures.
Etruscan section of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence
In the Etruscan section of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence stands out the masterpiece of the “Chimera d’Arezzo”, a bronze depicting the leonine fair, built in the 4th century BC and restored by Benvenuto Cellini. Also famous is the statue of the “Arringatore”, which depicts the noble Aule Metelle, while other symbols belong to the funeral art, such as the “Mater Matuta”, “The urn of the Bottarone”, the “Sarcophagus of Laerthia Seianti” as well as that of the “Amazons” and that of the “Obeso”.
Roman section of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence
The Roman section of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence enchants with the statue of 146 cm of the “Idol of Pesaro”, with the “Torso of Livorno”, the bronze of the “Minerva d’Arezzo”, but also with oil-lamps, weights, headers, Roman camels of the Medici and of Lorraine. Of extraordinary impact is also the section devoted to Egypt, second in Italy only to the Turin Museum, containing also wood, fabric and bone objects, as well as papyrus, pots and stems ready to document the period of the Ancient, Middle Kingdom and final part.
Greek section at the National Archaeological Museum of Florence
The Greek section of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence offers a remarkable collection of Greek ceramics reclaimed in Etruscan tombs and coming from exchanges with the Greek world. Particularly interesting are the “Vaso Francois”, the “Cups of the Little Masters”, a “red-figures hydria”, two kouroi of the Apollo and little Apollo Milan, the “Torso d’Atleta”, the “Equestrian Head”. The numismatic part is one of the most important of Italy, with more than 80,000 pieces and the largest collection of Etruscan coins in the world (1.173 copies).
National Archaeological Museum of Florence hours and costs
The MAF is open:
On Monday and on Saturday from 8.30 am to 2.00 pm
From Tuesday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm
and the first and third Sunday of each month from 8.30 am to 2.00 pm
Last entry: 45 minutes before closing
Closing Days: second, fourth and fifth Sunday of the month, 1st January, 25th December.
On Saturday you can also visit the garden, depending on the weather conditions and the availability of staff.
Tickets (including the Exhibition Hall)
Full ticket: € 4.00
Reduced ticket: € 2,00
Reduced ticket: Citizens of the European Union aged between 18 and 25 years. Teachers of state schools with indefinite assignment.
Free entrance on the first Sunday of the month for the initiative of the Mibact #DomenicalMuseo: free museums for everyone.
National Archaeological Museum of Florence, the magic of the past
Just over ten minutes away from the museum’s pole, the 4-star hotel Brunelleschi is perfect for admiring the beauties inside it and experiencing, at the same time, a relaxing holiday with many amenities to appreciate all the peculiarities of the city and to enjoy the specialties of traditional cuisine, in addition to the fascinating historical context in which it is located.
