Museo Civico Archeologico di Fiesole

About the museum

The museum was founded at the end of the 19th century to collect the finds that emerged from the excavations of the Roman theatre and of the monuments of the present Archaeological Area. The collection, established in 1878 and initially housed in the present Palazzo del Comune, was enriched by donations from private individuals and other bodies, and found its permanent home in 1914, when the building in which it still stands today was inaugurated.

Access to the museum is from the terrace above the Roman theatre, from which the whole Archaeological Area can be seen, set among greenery and enclosed to the north by the Etruscan walls: here are the Etruscan-Roman temple, the Roman theatre and baths, and traces of the 7th-century Lombard necropolis. The route runs over two levels. On the ground floor the topographical section presents material from Fiesole and its territory, including Villanovan pottery, Fiesole stelae, votive bronzes, the bronze bust of a she-wolf or lioness, and the votive deposit of the temple with the small bronze owl, linked to the cult of Minerva.

The section on the Lombards follows, with reconstructions of burials and grave goods, and the upper floor houses the large antiquarium section, formed of finds donated by important collectors, which also allows the Greek period to be studied in depth.

Highlights

• Bronze bust of a she-wolf or lioness
• Fiesole stelae and votive bronzes from the Etruscan temples
• Votive deposit of the temple with the small bronze owl
• Lombard section with reconstructed burials
• Antiquarium section with Greek finds
• Archaeological Area with Roman theatre, baths and Etruscan-Roman temple

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo Civico Archeologico – Etruscan, Roman and Lombard finds from Fiesole and its territory, with the antiquarium section on the upper floor.
• Area Archeologica – Roman theatre and baths, Etruscan-Roman temple, Etruscan walls and traces of the Lombard necropolis in a park surrounded by greenery.

Founded

1878

Operated by

Comune di Fiesole

Visitors per year

approx. 58,214

Admission & discounts

Standard and reduced rates for the Area Archeologica + Museo Archeologico ticket; the multimedia guide is included in the price. Free admission also for residents of Fiesole, journalists and ICOM members with a card, accompanying tourist guides with groups, and licensed tourist guides; special reduced rate of €3 for FAI members. The Musei di Fiesole participate in the Firenze Card scheme.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Dedicated routes and lifts make the visit fully accessible, including with pushchairs and wheelchairs; routes and panels for blind and partially sighted visitors in the Area and the Archaeological Museum. Disabled parking bays are in Via Portigiani and Piazza del Mercato; with the permit it is possible to park free in the paid bays.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

“Archeoguida” for young people, downloadable with 8 stops and activities; the Family Tour kit (Italian and English, for children aged 6 to 12) is free, but hire is temporarily suspended. The baby-changing facility is at the Museo Bandini.

Getting there & parking

From the bus stop cross the road towards Via Dupré, behind the cathedral of San Romolo; the entrance and ticket office are at the junction of Via Giovanni Dupré and Via Portigiani. By car from Florence, Via di San Domenico is recommended, especially for coaches and motorhomes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Caffè Teatro, at the entrance to the Archaeological Area, offers a 10% discount on the lunch menu with a Musei di Fiesole ticket. The bookshop is at Via Portigiani 3, next to the ticket office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit