Museo di Storia Naturale di Firenze, Science museum and Italian national heritage in Florence, Italy
The Natural History Museum of Florence houses six major collections displaying thousands of specimens including animal fossils, botanical samples, and mineral forms arranged chronologically. The galleries contain separate sections for zoology, botany, and mineralogy that show the diversity of natural forms across different geological and biological timescales.
The museum was established in 1775 by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo under the name Imperial Royal Museum of Physics and Natural History. Its collections grew significantly over the following centuries through scientific expeditions and acquisitions, transforming it into a major natural history institution in Europe.
The museum celebrates Italy's scientific advances from medieval times through the modern era, reflecting the importance of these discoveries in shaping contemporary thought. Visitors can observe how these moments are depicted in the artworks and decorative elements throughout the galleries.
The museum is spread across several buildings and wings that can be visited separately, with clear signage and staff on-site to help with directions. Plan to spend adequate time exploring and consider visiting on less crowded days for a more comfortable experience.
The wax figure hall contains detailed anatomical models from the 18th and 19th centuries, most created by master craftsmen Gaetano Zumbo and Clemente Susini. These works were originally made for teaching purposes in medical schools and represent some of the earliest anatomical models of their kind.
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