Musei di Villa Baciocchi
In the 18th-century Villa Baciocchi in Capannoli: a zoological museum with over 400 specimens and an archaeological museum on the Valdera, with a botanical park.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museums are housed in Villa Baciocchi, an 18th-century building most probably erected on the remains of the medieval castle of Capannoli, which belonged to the Della Gherardesca family from at least the 11th century. The villa took on its present appearance around the middle of the 18th century; in 1833 it passed by inheritance to the Marquises Baciocchi, who altered the interior and the park, and in 1951 it became property of the Comune di Capannoli.
Today the ground floor houses the Museo Zoologico, with over 400 specimens, mostly taxidermied, from zoological gardens, natural parks and rescue centres, arranged in five rooms with big cats, mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates, some of them in environmental dioramas. The collection also includes a collection of birds acquired in 2000, with specimens from the late 19th century, and a collection of butterflies.
On the piano nobile (main floor) is the Museo Archeologico, which holds over 1,100 finds from excavations and research in the Valdera area. The route runs from prehistory and protohistory to life in the Etruscan period, and on to Etruscan and Roman cults and burials, with multimedia supports and reconstructions of a Neolithic hut from Podere Casanuova (Pontedera) and of hut B from the village of Montacchita (Palaia).
The visit includes the botanical park, designed in the second half of the 19th century by Luigi Bellincioni, with neo-Gothic buildings, rustic grottoes and small frescoed shrines, 12 monumental trees and over 160 species, and the restored cellars of the villa, once used to store grain, oil and wine.
Highlights
- Zoological museum with over 400 specimens and dioramas of big cats
- Archaeological museum with over 1,100 finds from the Valdera
- Reconstructions of Neolithic and Bronze Age huts
- Botanical park with 12 monumental trees and over 160 species
- Restored cellars of the villa
Permanent exhibitions
- Museo Zoologico – Over 400 specimens of fauna from around the world, in five rooms with big cats, mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates and environmental dioramas.
- Museo Archeologico – Archaeological route on the Valdera from prehistory to the Middle Ages, with over 1,100 finds and reconstructed huts.
- Parco botanico – 19th-century garden with 12 monumental trees, over 160 species and small neo-Gothic buildings.
- Founded
- 1997
- Operated by
- Comune di Capannoli
- Visitors per year
- approx. 4,606
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Children aged 6 to under 14 and over 65s; holders of the Edumuseicard; students with the Carta dello studente della Toscana (full price at weekends, reduced on other days) |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6; reduced ticket for ages 6 to under 14. |
| Seniors | €4Over 65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companions. |
| Students & apprentices | –Carta dello studente della Toscana: full ticket at weekends, reduced on other days, with a discount for companions. |
| Groups | €4 per personGuided visit €4 per student, museum admission included. |
| Families | €6One adult and one child under 14; €4 for residents. |
| Residents of the Comune di Capannoli (full price) | €4Same rate for holders of the APC Gold Card. |
| Educational workshop for nursery school | €4About 1 hour, per student. |
| Educational workshop for primary school | €7About 2 hours, per student, museum admission included. |
| Educational workshop in class | €6Per student, with teaching materials and interactive files. |
The ticket gives access to both the zoological museum and the archaeological museum; the botanical park can be visited freely. Tickets cannot be bought online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Museo Zoologico on the ground floor is fully accessible; the Museo Archeologico on the first floor can be reached by lift. The ground-floor toilets are designed for access by people with disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
| Family ticket | €6 · One adult and one child under 14; €4 for residents. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Playground / play area
Educational workshops on zoology, science, archaeology, and art and history, “Famiglie al museo” initiatives and a family ticket. The botanical park has a play and relaxation area and drinking-water fountains.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
In the botanical park it is possible to have a snack or eat a packed lunch.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | During opening hours, photographing and filming the works in the permanent rooms is allowed for private use only; flash, tripods and supports require permission from staff. |
| Good to know | The park and the two museums can be visited independently; a full visit to the three displays takes about one hour. Guided visits and educational workshops require booking (form on the website or by phone on 0587 607035). |
