Florence is rife with museums and you'll never be stuck for one to visit but if you're after something a little off the beaten track, you might consider the Stibbert Museum. Less well-known to international tourists but with an astounding collection, it is hugely extensive with a wide range of objects and art works from around the world.
The museum also has a coffee shop, book store and a particularly lovely garden surrounding – you may never want to leave! If this sounds like something that might pique your interest, why not find the perfect luxury villa in Florence and spend a day admiring the collection, strolling the grounds and grabbing a coffee?
The museum also has a coffee shop, book store and a particularly lovely garden surrounding – you may never want to leave! If this sounds like something that might pique your interest, why not find the perfect luxury villa in Florence and spend a day admiring the collection, strolling the grounds and grabbing a coffee?
Federico Stibbert was the grandson of Giles Stibbert, Commander-in-Chief of the British East India Company and Governor of Bengal. At just 21, he inherited his grandfather's fortune and dedicated his life to putting together an extraordinary collection of art, arms, costumes and objets d'art. His home, which he filled with these things, was a villa on the hill of Montughi and still houses the collection to this day.
When the original dimensions of the villa proved too small for the growing collection, various additions were commissioned from the likes of the famous architect, Giuseppe Poggi, painter, Gaetano Bianchi and sculptor, Passaglia. The villa itself, therefore, is also a key work of art.
When the original dimensions of the villa proved too small for the growing collection, various additions were commissioned from the likes of the famous architect, Giuseppe Poggi, painter, Gaetano Bianchi and sculptor, Passaglia. The villa itself, therefore, is also a key work of art.
When Sibbert died in 1906, he left the villa and everything inside to the city of Florence. The museum is made up of 10 rooms which exhibit the works in their 19th century setting. The furnishings of the villa are also valuable pieces in their own right. Rooms overflow with objects and paintings. They display a preference for Dutch painting, still lives and portraits. Artists such as Botticelli, Crivelli, and Pieter Brueghel are represented among the works of art. Also on display are porcelain, majolicas, and the collection of arms and suits of armours dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries, to which the museum owes its international reputation. Most examples are European, though some are Oriental, Persian, Indian, Islamic and Japanese.
The museum is opened all week bar Thursday but appointments must be made for specific times during the week to see the Japanese collection. Tickets are €8.00 with a reduced rate of €6.00 for children twelve and under. With so much to see and do, it's a real bargain and a must-see for any history or military enthusiasts visiting Florence.
The museum is opened all week bar Thursday but appointments must be made for specific times during the week to see the Japanese collection. Tickets are €8.00 with a reduced rate of €6.00 for children twelve and under. With so much to see and do, it's a real bargain and a must-see for any history or military enthusiasts visiting Florence.
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
