The Archaeological Museum is the best place to start visiting Archaeology in Florence . It contains one of the most important collections of Etruscan art in the world and is housed in the Palazzo della Crocetta, which was built for the grand duchess MariaMadalena of Austria in 1620, probably by Giulio Parigi. Established in 1870, the museum was housed in the current building in 1880.
The most importante section of the Archaeological Museum is formed by the Egyptian collections, the most important in Italy after those of Turin. The original core of the Egyptian section, which was formerly housed in the Cenacolo di Foligno, was the Nizzoli collection, purchased in 1824, together with pieces from the Italian expedition headed by Ippolito Rosellini, which took place at the same time as the French expedition of Champollion. The collection was subsequently added to through numerous acquisitions and donations, as well as by the finds of the 1885 and 1891-92 archaeological campaigns in Egypt led by Schiaparelli.
The museum’s most famous work, the bronze Greek statue known as the Idolino, is housed in the Room of the Idolino. Displayed in the Bronze Gallery are three large Etruscan bronzes: the statue of Minerva, the famous Wounded Chimera of Bellerophon, from the 5th century BC, and the Harranguer, a monumental funerary statue from the 3rd century.
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Opening times : Monday: 14.00-19.00; Tuesday and Thursday: 8.30-19.00; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 8.30-14.00
Booking and information : Tel. +39 055 294883 – fax +39 055 264406
Basic ticket : Euro 4.00, booking (optional): Euro 3.00;
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Our central B&B in Florence is located a few minutes far from this Museum