World City Guide

Further Distractions

Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Across the river, in Oltrarno, lies the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Built in 1440, for the wealthy Pitti family, this monstrous palace was intended as a challenge to the omnipotent Medici. The architectural snub was short-lived, however, when the family fortunes dwindled and the palace was acquired by their rivals.

It is best for visitors to start early in the day, as the palace now houses a number of museums and galleries, including the lavishly decorated State Apartments. Most visitors only make it around the Galleria Palatina, which houses yet more paintings from the Medici collection. Rubens, Titian and Raphael, wrapped in heavy gilt frames, vie for attention amid frescoed ceilings and opulent furnishings. Museums on site are the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (Gallery of Modern Art), Galleria del Costume (Costume Gallery), Museo degli Argenti (Silver Museum) and Museo delle Porcellane (Porcelain Museum).

Visitors at saturation point might choose to skip all the galleries and head straight for the Boboli Gardens, a haven of fountains, grottoes and shady walks, populated by local cats and perfect for sun-drenched picnics. The carpet of medieval Florence rolls away beyond the palace – visitors are advised to crack open the Chianti, unwrap the salami and slip back into the Middle Ages.

Piazza Pitti
Tel: (055) 238 8615 or (055) 244 883.
Transport: Bus D.
Opening hours: As for separate museum opening hours (see below).
Admission: Free; ¬10.50 (combined pass for all museums); concessions available.

Galleria Palatina
Tel: (055) 238 8614. Fax: (055) 238 8613.
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/palatina
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1850.
Admission: ¬8.50; concessions available.

Galleria d’Arte Moderna
Tel: (055) 238 8601 or 8616. Fax: (055) 265 4520.
E-mail: gam@polomuseale.firenze.it
Website: www. polomuseale.firenze.it/gam
Opening hours: Daily 0815-1350, closed second and fourth Sun and first, third and fifth Mon of each month
Admission: ¬5 (combined with Galleria del Costume); concessions available.

Galleria del Costume
Tel: (055) 238 8713. Fax: (055) 2388713.
E-mail: costume.pitti@virgilio.it
Website: www. polomuseale.firenze.it/gam
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 0815-1350; second and fourth Mon 0815-1350 of each month; first, third and fifth Sun of each month 0815-1350.
Admission: ¬5 (combined with Galleria d’Arte Moderna); concessions available.

Museo degli Argenti
Tel: (055) 238 8709 or 8761. Fax: (055) 238 8699.
Website: www. polomuseale.firenze.it/argenti
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1630 Nov-Feb, closes at 1730 Mar; 1830 Apr, May and Oct; 1930 Jun-Sept; Mon opens in middle of month, closed first and last Mon of each month.
Admission: ¬4 (combined with Museo delle Procellane); ¬6 in peak season; concessions available.

Museo delle Porcellane
Tel: (055) 238 8605. Fax: (055) 238 8699.
Website: www. polomuseale.firenze.it/argenti
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1630 Nov-Feb, closes at 1730 Mar; 1830 Apr, May and Oct; 1930 Jun-Sept; Mon opens in middle of month, closed first and last Mon of each month.
Admission: ¬4 (combined with Museo degli Argenti); ¬6 in peak season; concessions available.

Boboli Gardens
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1630 Nov-Feb, closes at 1730 Mar; 1830 Apr, May and Oct; 1930 Jun-Sept; also opens 2nd and 3rd Mon of month, closed first and last Mon of each month
Admission: ¬4 (combined ticket with Museo degli Argenti and Museo delle Porcellane); ¬6 in peak season; concessions available.