Florence has so many visitors that it is open all year, you would be mistaken for believing that it’s always open. Some of Florence’s most popular attractions close on Mondays. You won’t notice this until you get to Florence, but it will affect your vacation planning.
There are many things you can do in Florence on Mondays. Many of these attractions are also excellent and should be on your list.
This list shows you what is open Mondays in Florence, so that you can plan your time in Tuscany.
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Walks of Italy Tours to Florence
Duomo
The Duomo, which is the heart of Florence’s historic area, is a must-see. This beautiful cathedral is open Mondays and . You can also climb into the dome for a fee for the best views of Florence. The Campanile, which is located at the top bell tower near the Duomo, offers a great view of Florence’s red-roofed dome. You can also visit the baptistery just outside the Duomo’s front doors. It is well worth a visit.
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo || creative commons photo by Sailko
Many of the artwork in the Duomo were damaged when the Arno River burst so severely in 1966. It was taken out for restoration and never returned to the cathedral. The Duomo’s artwork is now on display at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo behind the church. After a major renovation, the museum was reopened in 2015. The redesign is spectacular.
You’ll see pieces from the cathedral’s walls. Also, Donatello’s haunting wood carving of Mary Magdalene and a Michelangelo-carved Pieta that features a self-portrait will be on display. The sculpture is not finished – Ghiberti was almost 80 at the time he began to work on it. He intended for it to be on his tomb. The museum also has Ghiberti’s extraordinary bronze panels from the baptismistery doors. (The ones outside the baptistery are reproductions).
Sidebar: The museum’s bathrooms received a beautiful makeover. You can use it as a stop before moving on to the next destination.
Palazzo Vecchio
Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio || creative commons photo by Gary Campbell-Hall
The Palazzo Vecchio is just around the corner of the Uffizi. It dominates one side of Piazza della Signoria. This was the former home for the Medici family, before they moved across to the Pitti Palace. The Palazzo Vecchio, which is now a museum, houses some of the Medici’s living quarters and some amazing artwork. The large Salone des Cinquecento is a highlight of any visit. The walls are covered in frescoes of Vasari. However, some believe that there are frescoes from Leonardo da Vinci as well as Michelangelo beneath Vasari’s work.
Brancacci Chapel
Although the Pitti Palace and the museums on the Oltrarno bank of the river are closed Monday, that doesn’t mean you can’t cross the river. The Brancacci Chapel is a collection of beautiful frescoes dating back to 1424. You can find it at the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. Masaccio was the original artist to create the fresco cycles. Many experts believe he is responsible for the Renaissance art. However, he died shortly after completing the work. Filippino Lippi completed the rest of this cycle more than 60 years later.
Bargello
One of my favourite museums in Florence is the Bargello. Its collection consists mainly of sculptures. It’s also interesting to note that the building housing the museum was once a jail. Although the Bargello Museum doesn’t always open on Mondays, it is usually open on the first, third or fifth Mondays of each month.
Medici Chapels
It’s tempting to overlook Basilica of San Lorenzo after seeing the Duomo’s multicolored exterior. But don’t. You’ll find the tombs of some most well-known Medici within the Medici Chapels. These chapels are adorned with Michelangelo statues. The church complex also contains the Biblioteca Laurenziana, a beautiful staircase and reading area designed by Michelangelo.
Orsanmichele Museum
The Orsanmichele Church, a former Granary, is open every day of the week. However, the museum on the upper floors of the church is only open Mondays. This makes it a great attraction to visit if you are in Florence on Mondays. The original statues, which once occupied the niches surrounding the building’s exterior, are the main attraction of the museum. You’ll recognize some of the sculptures, including Donatello and Ghiberti as well as Giambologna and Pisano.
