Museo Enrico Caruso

About the museum

The museum is housed in Villa Bellosguardo, in Lastra a Signa, the favourite residence of the Neapolitan tenor Enrico Caruso. The villa, of 16th-century origin, passed to the Pucci family in 1540 and in 1585 was transformed by Abbot Alessandro Pucci into a place of retreat. In 1906 Caruso chose to buy it and for over seven years personally supervised the restoration and furnishing works, entrusted to the architect Rodolfo Sabatini.

After the singer's death in 1921, the property passed to several owners, including Count de Micheli, who gave the garden back its Renaissance appearance. In 1995 the Comune di Lastra a Signa repurchased the villa; the following year the Associazione Villa Caruso was founded, which promotes the complex and organises its activities.

The permanent exhibition is dedicated to the life and career of Caruso: documents, letters, photographs and postcards, everyday objects, stage costumes, sculptures and medals, and the numerous caricatures drawn by the tenor himself. Two rooms are devoted to records and music, including an interactive multimedia display developed with the University of Genoa.

Highlights

• Caruso's room with miniatures and personal objects
• Caricatures, drawings and watercolours by the tenor
• Discography Room with the Victor Red Seal Records catalogue
• Music Room with interactive multimedia display and a 1903 gramophone
• Kimono worn in Iris at the Metropolitan in New York
• Monumental park of the villa, free entry during the museum's opening hours

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso espositivo permanente – Nine rooms dedicated to Caruso's life and career, from the tenor's room to the caricatures, from the discography to the Music Room with multimedia installation.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Comune di Lastra a Signa (Associazione Villa Caruso)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission also for ICOM members, Edumusei members and journalists.

The ticket includes the audio guide. The museum is included in the Firenze Card (72 hours from first activation, one admission only; guided visits and activities excluded). Entry to the Monumental Park is free during the museum's opening hours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 museum route is fully accessible to people with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Playful educational workshops “Gioco in Villa” (Playing at the Villa) for children aged 6 to 12 (2 hours, at least 5 participants, by reservation) and workshops for birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

In the satnav, enter via Cesare Pavese and follow the signs for the museum. The museum is not accessible to coaches longer than 11 metres; for groups, vehicles of up to 36 seats are recommended.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Ticket office with information point and bookshop. Eating and drinking are forbidden in the rooms. The Wi-Fi mentioned on the website concerns the rooms for hire.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 90 guests.

Billiard Room (lectures, up to 90 seats), Fireplace Room (lunches and dinners, up to 86 seats), small meeting room (up to 25 people). The villa is the Comune's venue for civil weddings.

Plan your visit