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Part of the Galleria dell’Accademia: the Museum of Musical Instruments

The Museo degli Strumenti Musicali is located in the Galleria dell’Accademia. If you have booked the Galleria, you can also visit this museum with your Florence City Pass.

Music at court: find out more about entertainment at the Medici court

Here you can find out more about the development of some musical instruments

This exhibition is a particular highlight for lovers of opera, theatre and classical music. The collection features around fifty musical instruments from the private collections of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, the Medici and Lorraine, which were collected between the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 19th century and then passed on to the Cherubini Conservatory in Florence. Music played a very important role in people’s lives and at the Medici court at that time, which you can clearly see during your visit to this museum. The exhibition of around 50 instruments gives you an in-depth insight. It is particularly impressive to trace the invention of the "piano" by Bartolomeo Cristoferi.

Antonio Stradivari – the most famous instrument maker in the world

In the midst of antique harpsichords, wind and percussion instruments, you will find a unique piece by the master Antonio Stradivari. The viola on display in the Accademia Gallery is the only viola in the world made by Stradivari that is perfectly preserved in its original condition. It was made from spruce and maple wood for the extraordinary string formation Quintetto Mediceo, which consists of two violins, two violas and a cello. Its elegance and extreme refinement can be recognised by the fine mother-of-pearl, ivory and ebony inlays and the details of the Medici coat of arms, which make it unique. The collection also includes a violin and a cello by Stradivari.

 

Highlights

  • Large collection of musical instruments 
  • Representation of the role of music 
  • Property of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany
  • Learn more about the development of theatre in Florence 
  • Listen to the different sounds of the instruments in the multimedia area 

 

Opening hours

Tue.-Sun.: 8:15-18:50 

The museum is closed on the following days: Mondays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. 

The last admission to the museum is at 18:40 and the ticket office closes at 18:20. 

 

Reservation

Please note that the Museum of Musical Instruments is part of the Galleria dell’Accademia. If you have booked a ticket for the Galleria, you can also visit this museum with the Florence City Pass. Please be at the ticket counter at least 15 minutes before the reserved time and show your voucher with the reservation.

 

Important information

  • The Galleria dell’Accadamia is equipped with facilities for the disabled. The entrance and ticket office are accessible from Via Ricasoli, 60. The entire tour is barrier-free. 
  • An accessible bathroom is located on the ground floor near the lift.
  • Please note that for security reasons, access will be controlled using a metal detector. Visitors are advised that knives, scissors and all other metal objects that could pose a danger to people or the works on display will be collected by security staff at the entrance to the museum and handed in at the metal detector.
  • Large bags and rucksacks, helmets and similar items cannot be taken into the museum.
  • The consumption of food and drink inside the museum is prohibited. Water bottles with a maximum capacity of 0.5 litres are permitted.

 

 

How to get there

The nearest bus stops are
Piazza di San Marco – line 52
Cavour San Marco – lines 14,23, C1
Santissima Annunziata – lines 6, 14, 17, 23, 31, 32 

 

Address: 

Via Ricasoli 58-60
50122 Firenze 

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