Anna Maria de’Medici Tribute & Free Museums 2026

 

The Anna Maria Luisa de’Medici living history presentation at Palazzo Vecchio

Every year on February 18, Florence celebrates the last Medici ruler who willed her family’s extensive art collection to Florence with free museum entry and a reenactment.

Anna Maria Luisa de’Medici was a heroine in more ways than one.  Her mother, Marguerite d’Orleans, deserted the family and went back to France.  Anna Maria Luisa had two brothers: one, Ferdinando, died before his father Cosimo III de’Medici; another Gian Gastone, was gay. Neither, although both were married, had children.  Anna Maria Luisa was the wife of a German nobleman; after a miscarriage, she was unable to have children having contracted syphilis from her husband.

Upon her spouse’s passing, Anna Maria Luisa returned to Florence and later became the last Medici ruler (1737 – 1743) after her brother’s death thanks to the foresight of her father, Cosimo III de’ Medici who previously modified the law prohibiting women from the role.

Before her death on February 18, 1743, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici willed Medici’s entire collection of art and her estate to city of Florence.  Forming the basis of the Uffizi and Pitti Palace collections, the “Family Pact” stipulated that the treasures were never to leave Florence.

The following museums offer free entrance on February 18 in her honor:

  • Palazzo Vecchio Museum  9 am – 7 pm
  • Arnolfo Tower  9 am – 5 pm
  • Medici Chapels  8:15 – 6 pm only to residents of the greater Florence metropolitan area with ID
  • Museo Novecento of 20th and 21st Century Art  11 am – 8 pm
  • Santa Maria Novella   9 am – 5:30 pm
  • Brancacci Chapel   10 am – 5 pm
  • MAD Murate Art District.  2:30 –7:30 pm

A procession of Florentines dressed in traditional Renaissance costume will parade from Palagio di Parte Guelfa to the Medici Chapels to participate in a ceremony (11 am) at her grave in the Medici Chapels.

To perpetuate her legacy, the public is also invited to meet the lady and converse with her in a living history presentation at the Palazzo Vecchio museum on February 18 (on the hour from 11 am to 5 pm; free admission but reservations necessary by calling 055 0541450 or sending an email to info@musefirenze.it)

A concert featuring the music of Hadyn and Pleyel will be given in her honor at the Medici Chapels (€11 or free admission for residents of the greater Florence metropolitan area) by Cherubini Conservatory students at 5 pm.