Tuscany in the Winter can be just as magical as any other time of the year and today we share the things to do n Tuscany during the Winter.
Why Tuscany?
Tuscany has a remarkable ability to slip into an equally beautiful dress regardless of the season. Be it spring, summer, autumn, or winter, the Italian region with the heart-stopping landscape, the idyllic medieval villages, the imposing Renaissance art hubs, historical towns, and UNESCO World Heritage sites dazzles no matter what. And, although winter is a dead season for many tourist destinations, this is merely the case with Tuscany, especially if you appreciate art and history.
Away from bustling centres and tourist-packed landmarks, the many Tuscany museums and exhibitions await to spread their light in the quieter winter months. Given that most visitors prefer a luxury villa near Florence for their winter getaways, here are four museums in the surrounding area that will definitely please your soul. If you’re spending a day in Florence, pop along to see Palazzo Strozzi.
Things to do in Tuscany in the Winter
Palazzo Strozzi
This is not a museum per se, rather than a venue hosting noteworthy exhibitions. You have the chance to admire artworks in any shape or form, signed by both contemporary and Renaissance artists (local and international). Providing a thrilling mix of culture and beauty, the exhibits at Palazzo Strozzi epitomise the cultural significance of Italy and its contribution to art, in general. Before you leave, do make sure you visit the thematic exhibitions hosted at the Strozzina Centre for Contemporary Culture. It’ll certainly deserve the time spent there.
Museo Novecento
Those interested in modern Italian art will find Museo Novecento utterly exciting. Situated in Santa Maria Novella Square at the premises of a former 13th-century hospital (aka Spedale di San Paolo), the museum impresses with more than 300 works of 20th-century Italian art spread over to 15 different compartments. Among others, you can also find a glorious hall of conferences, a drawing cabinet, and a charming study room.
Pecci Centre for Contemporary Art
After undergoing extensive renovation works to embrace a more futuristic appearance, Pecci Centre for Contemporary Art opened its doors to the public again in 2016. The Prato-located museum now greets art enthusiasts with a humongous collection of more than 1000 masterpieces created in the past 70 years. Besides the permanent exhibitions, though, Centro Pecci also welcomes temporary ones occasionally.
Palazzo Blu
Except for the outstanding and globally renowned Leaning Tower, Pisa is also the place that holds 16th-century Palazzo Blu dearly in its lap. We are talking about a venue sitting in the very heart of the city’s historical centre in the ancient Palazzo Giuli Rosselmini Gualandi, offering artworks of modern, classical, and other art styles in temporary exhibitions. Also, due to its prestigious location (on the banks of the Arno River), Palazzo Blu is, rightfully, a superb option for various cultural events that promise to offer spellbinding experiences.
And, if all these are not good enough reasons to make you visit this unique spot in the Tuscany region, the story behind its name will certainly tantalise you. If you make the effort and head to Palazzo Blu, you will notice its bluish exterior walls. This was recently uncovered after some restoration works that took place relatively recently and is believed to be the aftermath of the Russian occupation in the 18th century.
Gallerie Degli Uffizi
This is perhaps the most popular museum in Tuscany and one of the most-visited tourist attractions year-round, regardless of whether you are an arts lover or not. A cradle of Italian Renaissance, it dazzles with its refined collections signed by masters such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titan, and Botticelli. No wonder it’s regarded as one of the world’s most significant places where art is worshiped in such a profound way. Within its premises, one can admire masterpieces of Western art, as well as various exhibitions running throughout the year. In fact, the gallery’s collection has been recently enriched with three more precious works of art, purchased by the Friends of the Uffizi Gallery who donated them to the museum.
Torture Museum
Those seeking an alternative museum experience can certainly consider visiting Torture Museum in San Gimignano. It showcases more than 100 different criminal and medieval torture instruments, created to cause pain and even lead to death. Among the most well known ones are the Chastity Belt, the Interrogation Chair, the Rack, the Guillotine, and the Iron Maiden. This unique and somewhat eerie museum also includes words and images related to torture while exhibiting extremely rare pieces dating to the Medieval age (16th, 17th, and 18th century). Along its collections, you will also come across philological reconstructions of lost and ancient torture tools, as well as refined (yet lesser known) instruments, so nothing relevant is missed. In fact, this is the first time ever such exhibits have become the exclusive pole of attraction for a museum. As you will realise yourself, man’s imagination and intelligence has no limits and, sadly, even touches unprecedented pain-provoking levels.
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