The Italian region of Tuscany is often, and rightly, acknowledged for its pristine landscape, idyllic climate, and fine wines. Since, however, this portion of the country stretches all the way from the northern town of Pisa down to Florence, its capital; it also includes some of the oldest, most famous museums in not just Italy, but the entire world. Tuscany is a beautiful place for a holiday and there are lots of Tuscany villas available for rent.
The Uffizi Gallery
Photo by conxa.roda
In the center of the Florence stands the Uffizi Gallery. It might be fitting to describe this museum as Italy’s answer to the Louvre in Paris, but since the Uffizi was established over 200 years prior to the French gallery, it’s more like the other way around. If one needed more proof that Italy takes art seriously, the fact that “uffizi” is Italian for “office” should suffice. Within the walls, visitors are surrounded by works such as Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Da Vinci’s Annunciation, and numerous other masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and more. Similar to the Louvre, visitors should dedicate at least one day to absorb this unmatched collection.
The Gallery of the Accademia de Belle Art di Firenze
Photo by CRISTINA
Even though collection at the Uffizi is the most extensive in Italy, the Accademia de Belle Art di Firenze, established in 1563, is older. The gallery building is actually a branch of the city’s prestigious art academy, the first and oldest drawing academy in Europe. While patrons to the museum will discover works by Botticelli, Giambologna, and Bronzino, the “pezzo forte” of the collection, and by most standards, the most famous sculpture in the world, is the David by former Accademia de Belle Art di Firenze student, Michelangelo. In fact, much of the collection is devoted to this Italian genius, making the Gallery a must-see for any fan of Michelangelo.
Museo Galileo
Chemist’s table – Photo by Anna Faherty
Not all the museums in Florence are dedicated to the Italian fine arts masters. For those with a love for science, the Museo Galileo, along the edge of Arno river, is certainly more than a consolation prize. Named after Galileo Galilei, one of the most famous scientific minds in history, visitors can peruse through priceless, world-changing technological instruments, such as some of the world’s first globes, telescopes, and sea navigation tools. For those eager to get even closer to the museum’s namesake, an actual finger from the hand of Galileo has been preserved and is on display for all to see.
The Cassa di Risparmio di Pisa
Photo by Xavier de Jauréguiberry
While there is enough awe-inducing art on display in the Florence to last months of non-stop museum-going, it would be unfair to ignore the museums outside the Tuscan capital. The town of Pisa, most famous for its vertically challenged tower, is also home to the art collection of the Cassa di Risparmio di Pisa. While the collections in Florence tend to focus on the masterpieces of the Italian renaissance, this collection showcases pieces from medieval times as well as modern art from the 20th century. In fact, more than anything, this gallery is a celebration of Pisan culture and a unique insight into the rural artistry of northwestern Italy.
If you want to experience the best of the museums of Tuscany, you can book a summer lease
Ursula Jones is an a travel writer who now writes for Summer’s Leases
