Museo della Didattica dell'Agricoltura

Museum of the Istituto Agrario di Firenze, at the Cascine, with around 4,000 zoological and botanical specimens and historic wax and plaster models of fruit and vegetables.

Opening hours unknownFree admission

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About the museum

The museum is located in a farmhouse within the agricultural estate of the Istituto Agrario di Firenze, in the Cascine park. The institute was founded in 1882 as a school of pomology and horticulture and has been based at its present site since 1935. Teachers use the museum for educational visits and lectures, and for years it has taken part in the Settimana della Cultura Scientifica (Scientific Culture Week).

The collection comprises around 4,000 specimens in several sections, partly from the institute's laboratories and partly donated by bodies and individuals. The zoological section includes specimens preserved in alcohol and stuffed animals: invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds, donated in 1952 by the Scuola Agraria di Scandicci and once belonging to Professor Napoleone Passerini.

The botanical section holds plaster models of flowers and mushrooms, herbaria, and a historic collection in plaster and wax of vegetables, pome fruit and stone fruit from the early 19th century, the work of Garnier Valletti. The waxes of scientific and artistic interest were restored by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure. Many pieces are kept in historic cabinets from the school's original furnishings.

Highlights

Historic plaster and wax collection of vegetables and fruit by Garnier Valletti (early 19th century)
Around 4,000 zoological and botanical specimens
Stuffed animals from the Scuola Agraria di Scandicci (donated 1952)
Plaster models of flowers and mushrooms, and herbaria

Founded: 1989
Operated by: Istituto Agrario di Firenze