Museo della Collegiata di Sant'Andrea
Ecclesiastical museum founded in 1859 in Empoli, with sculptures and paintings from the 13th to the 17th century, including works by Masolino, Lorenzo Monaco and Bernardo Rossellino.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo della Collegiata di Sant'Andrea, founded in 1859, is one of the oldest ecclesiastical museums in Italy. It arose on the initiative of Vincenzo Salvagnoli, a member of the Tuscan provisional government, and its first seat was the ancient chapel of San Lorenzo next to the Collegiata, with 54 works. The name derives from the church of Sant'Andrea, from which most of the works come.
In 1894 the collection received a chronological arrangement, with a separate section for terracottas and illuminated manuscripts. In the 1930s a move to the Propositura (provostry) was planned, but it was interrupted by the bombing of the Second World War, which damaged buildings and works; the museum reopened in 1956. After the re-display of 1990 and the restoration of 2006, in 2023 it was reorganised with new displays thanks to PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) funds.
Today it is housed in the Palazzo della Propositura, next to the Collegiata. The ground floor houses sculptures, the baptismal font by Bernardo Rossellino of 1447 and a detached fresco by Masolino da Panicale, while the piano nobile (main floor) is the picture gallery, arranged chronologically. The loggia overlooking the cloister closes the visit with glazed terracottas by the Della Robbia and the Buglioni; the Cappella di Sant'Elena in the church of Santo Stefano degli Agostiniani is also part of the route.
Highlights
- Vir dolorum, detached fresco by Masolino da Panicale (around 1424)
- Madonna and Child in marble by Giovanni Pisano
- Triptych of the Madonna dell'Umiltà by Lorenzo Monaco (1404)
- Baptismal font by Bernardo Rossellino (1447)
- Sala dei Botticini with the Tabernacle of Saint Sebastian
- Glazed terracottas by the Della Robbia and Buglioni in the loggia
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione permanente del Museo della Collegiata – Sculptures, baptismal font and frescoes on the ground floor, picture gallery with paintings from the 14th to the 17th century on the piano nobile, and glazed terracottas in the loggia.
- Founded
- 1859
- Operated by
- Collegiata di Sant'Andrea (musei di Empoli)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,363
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3under-18s, adults over 65, groups of 15 people and agreements |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Free admission under 6s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities with a family member or companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students of Art History, Cultural Heritage, Architecture, Academies of Fine Arts and Conservatories. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate for groups of 15 people. |
| Combined ticket Museo del Vetro and Museo della Collegiata | €8Reduced €6. |
| MuDEV ticket (Sistema Museale Diffuso Empolese Valdelsa) | €15Family €35; one entry to each museum in the system, valid for one year from issue. |
Free admission also for school classes from Empoli, accompanying teachers (one for every 15 pupils), ICOM members, press card holders, tourist guides and group escorts. Schools in Empoli: workshop €2 per student; other schools: admission €2 and workshop €3 per student.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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 website states that the museum is fully accessible to people with motor disabilities.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
For younger children, the route “Zampe, ali e fantasia” (1 hour) and animated readings are offered.
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 | The guided tour “In viaggio al Museo” lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes; for the 2026–27 school year, educational routes are also offered by booking. Information and bookings at the Museo del Vetro. |
