The Resurrection of the ‘La Specola’ Museum

Florence’s La Specola (via Romana 17) reopens February 26 after pre-Covid closure for renovations and expansion. The works, both enlarging the space and restoring much of the collection, allow visitors to explore two new wings of the science and natural history museum. The new sections, dedicated to mineralogy in addition to depictions and dissections of plants and flowers in wax, contain never before displayed works.  La Specola (which means observatory in Italian) claims [...]

The 2023 Firenze Marathon & Ginky Family Run

Sun. 26: FIRENZE MARATHON. Starts and ends in Piazza Duomo.  8:30 am.   Residents and visitors will see the streets of Florence crowded with 8, 500 runners on Sunday for the Firenze Marathon. Athletes from all over will come together for the 39th edition of the Firenze Marathon.  Along with the main marathon, the Ginky Family Run and ‘MaratonAbile,’ a handcycling event, will also be held on the same day. The marathon itself is 42.195 kilometers [...]

Michelangelo’s ‘Secret Room’ Open for Visits

  Opening November 15, 2023: MICHELANGELO’S SECRET ROOM. Medici Chapels Museum. Open Mondays (at 3 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6 pm), Wednesdays (9 am, 10:30 am, 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 3 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6 pm), Thursdays (9 am, 10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm, and 3 pm), Fridays (3 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6 pm ), and Saturdays at (9 am, 10:30 am, 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 3 pm, 4:30 pm, [...]

AILO Kicks Off ‘Viva Vittoria’ to Help Women

  Viva Vittoria, a volunteer project that will strive to take measures on domestic violence against women with the help of the entire Florence community, will take place on Nov. 11 and 12, 2023, in Piazza Santa Croce. The American International League of Florence (AILO) has been given the opportunity to co-sponsor and organize the event locally. Fittingly, the press conference for Viva Vittoria Firenze fell on International Women’s Day, today, March 8. [...]

Free Entrance to the Accademia & New Displays

To celebrate International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8, the Accademia on via Ricasoli will be free to women visitors from 8:15 am – 1:50 pm (last admission 1:20 pm). This day was instituted to celebrate the political, social, and economic advancements of women around the world and in history, presenting an opportunity for the museum to unveil some important changes. Although most come for the statue of David, the Accademia is also [...]

From Stage to TV: All Things Dance at ‘Danzainfiera’ 2023

Fri. 24 – Sun. 26: DANZAINFIERA dance festival 2023.  Fortezza da Basso.  Open 9 am to 8 pm. Admission €18, reduced €12. The slogan for this year’s 17th edition of Danzainfiera is, “all you need is dance.”  Dance lovers, students, professional dancers, and representatives from schools and companies will all gather for this special event. The festival will offer multiple lessons, dance shows, book presentations, and meet & greets open to all, along [...]

‘First Act:’ Spiritual Symbology for the Environment at Pitti

  Until January 29, 2023: FIRST ACT by Marya Kazoun. Sala Bianca, Pitti Palace. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8.15 am – 6.30 pm. Closed Monday. Admission to the Pitti Palace is €10, reduced price is €2, while on Wednesday afternoon after 3 pm a discounted entrance of €5 is offered. Using the religious sphere as her creative influence, Lebanese-Canadian artist, Marya Kazoun, unveils a contemporary interpretation in her installation, “First Act.”  Using sculpture art [...]

Free Museums on New Year’s Day in Florence

Customarily, Florence’s state-run museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month.  Since New Year’s Day, January 1, arrives on a Sunday, only a handful will be accessible with no-cost entrance. They are:  the Uffizi Gallery (10:45 am – 6:45 pm); the Boboli Gardens (11 am – 4:3o pm); the Academy Gallery (8:15 am – 6:50 pm); the Bargello National Sculpture Museum and the Medici Chapels (10 am – 6 pm) [...]

‘Firenze Marathon’ 2022 in Downtown Florence

Runners

Sun. 27: FIRENZE MARATHON. Starts and ends in Piazza Duomo. 8:30 am. Athletes from all over will come together for the Firenze Marathon.  The marathon itself is 42.195 kilometers (26 mi). The route will go through centuries of art, history and culture here in Florence. Registrations are closed as of now, however more information about the event’s route and background can be found at www.firenzemarathon.it. Expect to see the fastest runner receive their trophies [...]

The Accademia Gallery’s New Summer Hours

The Accademia Gallery, home of Michelangelo’s sculpture David, his Prisoners and medieval paintings, will be open from 8:15 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. starting on June 21.  Extended summer evening hours on Tuesdays also return on the 21st, during which the museum will stay open until 10 p.m. The museum will stay closed on Mondays. Because of the new hours, visitors can now fully experience the gallery’s upgraded LED lighting as it illuminates the [...]