Museo Zeffirelli

About the museum

The museum is part of the Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli, which has been based in the Complesso di San Firenze since 2017, a few steps from Palazzo Vecchio. The Centro Internazionale delle Arti e dello Spettacolo occupies about 3,700 square metres across the ground and first floors, renovated by Zeffirelli himself.

The building originated as a convent of the Filippini Fathers, dedicated to Saint Philip Neri: the design was entrusted to Pietro da Cortona in 1645, and construction continued in the 17th and 18th centuries with Pier Francesco Silvani, Ferdinando Ruggieri and Zanobi Del Rosso. It is one of the rare examples of late Baroque architecture in Florence. Later the complex housed the court. The former oratory is today the Sala della Musica (Music Room).

On the first floor a chronological route through the collection rooms is dedicated to the director and set designer’s work in drama theatre, opera and film. Set designs, drawings and costume sketches are shown, along with his collaborations with Luchino Visconti and Maria Callas and productions for major theatres such as La Scala, the Metropolitan and the Arena di Verona. The Foundation also runs an archive, a library, courses and educational activities.

Highlights

• More than 250 works by Franco Zeffirelli, including set designs, drawings and costume sketches
• Rooms dedicated to Visconti and Maria Callas
• Productions for Verdi, Puccini and Shakespeare
• Late Baroque complex of San Firenze
• Audio guide on your own phone and augmented reality

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione Zeffirelli – Chronological route through drama theatre, opera and film, with set designs, drawings and costume sketches by Franco Zeffirelli.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli ETS

Admission & discounts

Discount to €10 with the Destination Florence Card, for Coop members, and with tickets to Palazzo Strozzi and the Collezione Roberto Casamonti (and vice versa); 50% discount with a Frecciarossa or Frecciargento ticket to Florence. The museum is part of the FirenzeCard circuit. Reductions do not apply to guided tours by staff, visits to the archive or temporary exhibitions.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Two ramps (Via dell’Anguillara and in front of the entrance) allow wheelchair access; the first floor is reached by lift, which is also suitable for blind visitors. Accessible toilets are on every floor, and a wheelchair is available at the ticket office.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Family ticket and the activity album “Regista per gioco” for children aged 6 to 10 (in Italian and English), with pencils to be returned at the exit.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Complesso di San Firenze, a few steps from Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Foundation’s bar and the bookshop are on the ground floor, opposite the entrance.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit