Museo e istituto fiorentino di preistoria
Prehistory museum founded by Paolo Graziosi in 1946 in the former Oblate convent, with finds from the Palaeolithic to the Metal Ages and a section on Africa.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo e Istituto Fiorentino di Preistoria “Paolo Graziosi” was founded in 1946 by the prehistorian Paolo Graziosi to preserve and promote the prehistoric collections in Florence and to encourage new research. For many years the collections were reserved for specialists; since 1975 they have been open to the public. In 1998 a renovation created new exhibition areas, now enhanced with multimedia stations that make the visit easier, including for people with disabilities.
The museum is on the first floor of the historic former convent of the Suore Oblate. The route opens with an introductory room on the physical and cultural evolution of humans, followed by two exhibition areas: the first holds material from the main prehistoric sites in Italy, from the Early Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, with a route dedicated to prehistoric art; the second is devoted to African prehistory, of which the museum holds the largest number of collections in Italy. A separate space is dedicated to the prehistory of the Florence area.
The finds come from excavations and research carried out in Italy, Europe, Asia and Africa, and are largely kept in storerooms available to scholars. The museum also has a plaster cast collection of prehistoric artworks and an archive with the documents of Graziosi’s research from 1928. Besides being an exhibition venue, it is a research institute with laboratories for archaeometry, anthropology and archaeozoology, and it is among the centres of excellence of the Tuscany Region.
Highlights
- The largest collection of African prehistory in Italy
- Route on prehistoric art
- Finds from the main prehistoric sites in Italy
- Plaster cast collection of prehistoric art
- Guided visit “Il Museo al Buio” with tactile display cases
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso espositivo permanente – Introductory room on human evolution, Italian prehistoric finds with the route on prehistoric art, a section on African prehistory and a space on the prehistory of Florence.
- Founded
- 1946
- Operated by
- Museo e Istituto Fiorentino di Preistoria «Paolo Graziosi»
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Schools that do not book a guided visit, students aged 6 to 18, holders of the Firenze Card, adults over 65 |
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 6 · Free admission up to age 6; reduced ticket for ages 6 to 18. |
| Seniors | €3.50Reduced for over-65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50Reduced for students aged 6 to 18; free for students and university teaching staff in Archaeology, Art History and Conservation of Cultural Heritage with proof of enrolment. |
| Groups | –Guided visit by reservation: €20 per group in addition to the ticket. School admission €4.50 with guided visit included (€4 for schools of the Comune di Firenze taking part in the project “Le Chiavi della Città”). |
Free admission: Free admission on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Free admission also for teachers, licensed tourist guides and journalists.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access from the ground floor of the Biblioteca delle Oblate is made easier by ramps and a lift. A wheelchair is available at the ticket office; the toilets are accessible. Videos are provided for people with hearing difficulties, and visits with tactile display cases (“Il Museo al Buio”) are offered. Assistance must be requested in advance.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers activities for families and children, such as readings and creative workshops on special days.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits and workshops by reservation. Among the offers are the thematic visit “Archeologia dell’Empatia” and the visit in the dark “Il Museo al Buio”, suitable for all ages. |
