The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum and the Medici History Museum (Museo de' Medici) are two different significant museums in Florence; but since they are located in the same historical building, it is most convenient to view them and, if desired, visit them together.
The museums are located in the heart of the historical center of Florence, in the beautiful and outwardly slightly unusual Sforza Almeni Palace (Palazzo di Sforza Almeni).
This 16th-century noble palace may have been designed by Bartolomeo Ammannati for Piero d'Antonio Taddei.
The palace was confiscated from the family of Taddei Cosimo I de' Medici and presented to his secretary and minister Sforza Almeni, who further enriched the palace with picturesque decorations created by Italian artists Cristoforo Gherardi Giorgio Vasari (around 1555).
Sforza Almeni was in the service of the Duke and lived in the palace for twenty-four years before Cosimo killed him himself, apparently for revealing his relationship with Eleonora degli Albisi to Crown Prince Francesco.
Then the palace changed hands and was restored.
Today, despite the loss of the external picturesque appearance and many decorations of the decoration, the palace still has some decorations on the main facade, as well as internally frescoes with allegorical images and decorative friezes with cherubs and festoons of the late 17th century.
Above the main entrance portal there is a shield with the coat of arms of the Frosini Matteucci family, and on the sharp corner there is an encomiastic shield with the Medici-Toledo coat of arms, placed during the ownership of Sforza Almeni. The original shield, removed in 1901 due to its dilapidation, was restored in 1955 and placed in the lobby of the building (the one that can be seen on the corner today is a copy).
Leonardo da Vinci Museum
The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum is an interactive museum and is located on two floors of the building.
The museum presents interactive machines - working models created by hand according to the original sketches of the Italian famous scientist and artist Leonardo. This craft has been a rich part of the artisan tradition of Tuscany since the 1960s.
Life-size cars are presented here.
The museum has workshops that are an educational center.
Entrance to the museum is paid. There are discounted, family and group tickets.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum website: museoleonardodavincifirenze.com.
Address of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum: Via del Castellaccio, 1, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy.
The Medici Museum
The Medici History Museum (Museo de' Medici) tells the story of the great Medici dynasty.
The history of the Medici family in the museum is illustrated with a collection of original works of art. In addition to portraits of the Medici Grand Dukes, the museum also exhibits sculptures, bronze products, medals, drawings and pastels, as well as documents and relics that are direct witnesses of the centuries-old Medici rule in Florence.
Entrance to the museum is paid. There are discounted tickets. Children from 0 to 6 years old and persons with disabilities - free of charge.
Website of the Medici Museum: museodemedici.com.
The address of the Medici Museum: Via dei Servi, 12, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.
Practical information
The palace with the Leonardo and Medici museums is located near the main square of Florence - the Duomo Square, on the beautiful and lively Via de 'Servi, which leads from the Duomo Square to the square of the Santissima Annunziata (Holy Annunciation).
Coordinates of the palace with museums: 43°46'28.5"N 11°15'31.4"E (43.774569, 11.258719).
All accommodation facilities in Florence (hotels, apartments, guest houses, etc.), including in the historical center of the city and more remotely from it, can be viewed and booked here
