Museo di Orsanmichele
Former grain market converted into a church, with the original statues of the patron saints of the Florentine guilds displayed on the upper floors.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Orsanmichele stands in the ancient heart of Florence. It is a Gothic building erected in the 14th century as a grain market and warehouse, through which the city guaranteed its food supplies. It was later converted into a church; on the ground floor is the oratory of San Michele in Orto, from which the building takes its name.
The church houses Bernardo Daddi’s Madonna and Child of 1347, enclosed in the marble tabernacle by Andrea di Cione, known as Orcagna, of 1359, and frescoes on the vaults dating from between 1389 and 1400. The city’s guilds commissioned statues of their patron saints for the external niches; today copies stand there, while the originals are displayed on the first floor.
The upper floors house the museum of monumental sculpture, with works by Ghiberti, Donatello, Nanni di Banco, Verrocchio and Giambologna. After a closure of about 400 days for restoration and re-display, the church and the museum, covering about 1,800 square metres, reopened on 19 January. The complex is part of the Musei del Bargello.
Highlights
- Original statues of the patron saints of the Florentine guilds
- Works by Donatello, Ghiberti, Nanni di Banco, Verrocchio and Giambologna
- Marble tabernacle by Orcagna with Bernardo Daddi’s Madonna
- 14th-century frescoes on the church vaults
- Gothic building that began as a grain market
Permanent exhibition
- Museo della scultura monumentale – On the upper floors the original statues of the guilds’ patron saints are displayed; they once stood in the building’s external niches.
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Musei del Bargello (Ministero della Cultura)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 80,392
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2According to the national rules for state cultural sites |
| Combined ticket valid for 72 hours for the open museums of the Musei del Bargello | €38 |
Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month, on 25 April, 2 June and 4 November; on these days bookings and educational activities are suspended.
Reductions and free admission follow the rules in force for state cultural sites. Optional booking at €4.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: not available
- 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 museum has no devices for access by people with mobility impairments and no toilets. For the Musei del Bargello a tactile route is available, to be arranged with the educational services.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The building is on Via dell’Arte della Lana, in the historic centre of Florence.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Large backpacks and bags are not admitted.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | School groups by telephone booking (+39 055 294883) of up to 25 pupils plus one accompanying adult; other groups of up to 20 people plus one accompanying adult may enter without booking. Large backpacks and bags are not admitted. |
