This October, explore the spooky side of Florence with some scary museums (or part of them at least). Here are some suggestions from Firenzecard, the official museum pass for the city of Florence, which allows you to visit 60-plus museums in the city for immense cultural and historical heritage.
Anatomical waxes at La Specola
The faint of heart (and with a sensitive stomach) may be unsettled by the anatomical waxes at the Natural History Museum “La Specola”. Despite being what the museum is famous for all over Europe, these faithful and detailed reproductions of the human body have the power to marvel and frighten you at the same time. Science can be scary after all!
Natural History Museum “La Specola”, via Romana 17
Armour collection at Stibbert Museum
Shielded in a unique building in Florence, the Stibbert Museum holds a collection of 16,000 pieces of armour, among the biggest in Europe for its sheer number and impressive display. The museum itself, once the house of the English collector Frederick Stibbert, boasts a neo-gothic architectural style where light and shadows merge for some spooky vibes.
Stibbert Museum, via Federico Stibbert 26
Dante’s mask at the Palazzo Vecchio
Tucked away in the vaults of Palazzo Vecchio, once considered haunted due to its past rife with countless power struggles, is Dante’s mask. Formerly thought to be a funeral mask, we now know that it’s merely a sculpture, although it certainly still has the power to raise some hair on your neck.
Palazzo Vecchio, piazza della Signoria
The old prison at MAD – Murate Art District
The Murate Art District is a contemporary art complex that includes the 15th-century monastery, which acted as the city prison from 1883 to 1985. The cells can still be seen today. It’s a unique place where the destructive energy of the past now fuels a creative present.
MAD – Murate Art District, piazza delle Murate
Walk like an Egyptian at National Archaeological Museum
Awakening the explorer in you has never been easier: the National Archaeological Museum holds one of the largest Egyptian collections in Italy. Alongside several mummies, you can also see the famous relief of Goddess Maat, where the goddess of justice continues her duty to judge the earthly deeds of humans and decide their afterlife.
National Archaeological Museum, piazza della Santissima Annunziata
Grim reapers at the Misericordia Museum
The Museo della Misericordia might seem far from scary. In the past, the brotherhood was tasked to care for the sick and the poor, and carried on its charitable mission. Inside the museum, however, are representations of the grim reaper as well as a special section dedicated to the plague in Florence. Two hooded figures complete the frightful quota, although the function of the clothing was quite different: it ensured that the brothers of the Misericordia – often prominent citizens – weren’t recognized by the sick as not to put pressure on them.
Museo della Misericordia, piazza del Duomo
