And you thought Florence was only the city of Art! It's also home to many natural, earth, historical, and social science museums, where you can find all the "ology" you're looking for!
Paleontology, Anthropology, Plant Biology, Geology, Mineralogy, Ethnology, Zoology and more!
Florence's Guide
The complete guide about Florence
The complete list of Museums in Florence
Florence History Science Museum: the list
Natural History Museum - Museo di Storia Naturale
The museum, part of the University of Florence, is made up of six principal sections housed in important palaces and places in the historic city center.
Zoologia "La Specola" - Zoology
*Website in Italian
Via Romana, 17
Phone: 055 288 8251
Open: Tues-Sun, 9:30-16:30, until May 31; Tues-Sun, 10:30-17:30 from June 1st to September 30th
Closed: Mondays, Easter, May 1st, August 15th
Admission: €6 / €3 reduced for entrance only - €10 / €5 reduced for entrance + exhibit
Scientific Museum founded in 1775 and is the oldest science museum in Europe. It's famous for its realistic collection of wax anatomical models, made between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Botanical Gardens
*Website in Italian
Via Micheli, 3
Phone: 055 275 7402
Open: 9:00-19:00, daily, March 1st - May 31st; 10:00-19:00 daily, June 1st - September 2nd; From September on TBA
Admission: €10 / €8 reduced (includes garden, exhibit "Dinosaurs in the Flesh," as well as entrance to Geology and Paleontology sections)
Founded in 1545, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Over 5,000 types of plants with several very old trees.
Via Giorgio La Pira, 4
Phone: 055 2757462
Open: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Nearly five million specimens of plants and materials of plant origin. The largest collection of dried plants species in Italy.
Paleontology and Geology Museum
*Website in Italian
Via La Pira, 4
Phone 055 275 7536m
Open: 9:00-19:00, daily, March 1st - May 31st; 10:00-19:00 daily, June 1st - September 2nd; From September on TBA
Admission: €10 / €8 reduced (includes entrance to the Geology and Paleontology sections, as well as the botanical garden, and exhibit "Dinosaurs in the Flesh")A collection of Italian mammal fossils totaling nearly 20,000.
Mineralogy and Lithology Museum
*Website in Italian
Via La Pira, 4
Phone: 055 275 7537. Closing days: Saturday and public holidays.
Open: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 9:00-13:00 with ticket and Sat, Sun, 10:00-19:00 with free entrance
Admission: €6 / €3 reduced (Tickets are sold at the Geology and Paleontology bookshop)
Around 50,000 mineral specimens, including a 151kg topaz crystal (the 2nd largest in the world).
Anthropology and Ethnology Museum
*Website in Italian
Via del Proconsolo, 12
Phone: 055 2396449
Open: Until May 31st: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 9:00-13:00 and Sat, Sun, 10:00-17:00; From June 1st to September 30th: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 10:00-13:00 and Sat, Sun, 10:00-18:00
Closed: Wednesdays, Easter, May 1st, August 15th, December 25th
Admission: €6 / €3 reduced (tickets sold at the bookshop on the ground floor.
Two floors and more than 20 rooms filled with over 10,00 artifacts from around the world, including bones, plaster casts and hair.
Museo Galileo
Piazza Giudici, 1
Phone: 055 265 311
Open: 9:30-18:00, Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat; Tuesday 9:30-13:00
Closed: Sundays, the 2nd Sunday in Winter months, January 1st and 6th, Easter, May 1st, June 24th, August 15th, November 1st, December 8th, 25th, and 26th
Admission: €9
The museum showcases the development of modern science and technology from the Renaissance to the XX century. Mathematical instruments and devices, optical, thermal, surgical apparatus, clocks, globes, planispheres, telescopes, in addition to relics of Galileo Galilei and the Cimento Academy.
Planetarium
Phone: 055 2343723
Open: Shows on Sundays at 3:30 and 5:00
Admission: Reservation requiredA large dome with projections of stars and guided presentations led by astronomers.