Free Museums In Honour of Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici & Historic Reenactments

February 18 is a day of historical significance and celebration in Florence with events and free museum openings in recognition of Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici (1667 – 1743) on the anniversary of her death.

She played a very important role in the cultural preservation of Florence, as before her death, she created the Family Pact, a legal act of protection stipulated with Francesco Stefano of Lorraine, thanks to which the last heir of the dynasty binds to the state – the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, later the region of Tuscany – all the assets that were part of the Medici collections on the condition that all would remain in Florence as the property of the State, for the local public and to attract foreigners.  Artworks formerly belonging to the Medici family, who ruled Florence for three centuries, form the nucleus of the Uffizi in addition to museums in the Pitti Palace complex; their scientific artifacts (fossils, minerals and exotic plants) are now displayed in the city’s science museums.

To honour her memory, there will be free admission for all to the Florentine Civic Museums and Palazzo Medici Riccardi February 18. Florence civic museums comprise Palazzo Vecchio (9 am – 7 pm); the Arnolfo Tower of Palazzo Vecchio (9 am – 5 pm); the Masaccio, Masolino and Filippino frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel (1 – 5 pm, reservation required); the Museo Novecento of 20th and 21st Century Art (11 am – 8 pm),  the Bardini Museum (11 am – 5 pm): the Salvatore Romano Antiquities Foundation (1 – 5 pm); Museo del Ciclismo Gino Bartali Cycling Museum (10 am – 4 pm); in addition to Santa Maria Novella (1 – 5:30 pm, access via Piazza  Stazione 4) .

A living history event will be held at Palazzo Vecchio on February 18 in which visitors will be able to ‘dialogue’ with Anna Maria. The event will take place at 3, 4, and 5 pm and will be repeated on February 23 at 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30. Anna Maria will be impersonated by Giale Monaci, and an introduction with historical context will be given by Andrea Verga. 

Participation in the event is free on February 18. On February 23, admission will cost €2,50 for residents of the Metropolitan City of Florence and €5 for non-residents, in addition to the price of museum entry.

Registration is compulsory, call 055-2768224, or send an email to info@musefirenze.it (Mina Lozanova)