Orsanmichele is one of the extraordinary buildings of Florence: it hosts a church on the ground floor and a museum on the first.

The statues, that are placed inside the alcoves surrounding the church, have been realized by the most important artists of the Renaissance (Donatello, Ghiberti, Giambologna), in order to give authority and honor to the powerful corporations of the Florentine republic.

The access to the church is always allowed, but the museum is open just on Monday, from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Why it’s worth visiting it? Because it contains a treasure!

Climbing up the spiral staircase you come to a large and beautiful room, where you can admire the wonderful architectural elements and the real statues. The ones outside are just copies and just one day a week it’s possible to admire the original ones, which are jealously stored in the museum.

If you come to Florence, remember: Monday, Orsanmichele Museum… also because the entrance is free of charge!

Travel tips

To reach the church of Orsanmichele is quite simple. The church is located in one of the main streets of Florence, Via de ‘Calzaiuoli, home to some of the most famous shops of the city, the road that links Piazza Duomo to Piazza della Signoria.