Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is a must-see Florence museum for any trip to Florence. The museum, sometimes known as simply "The Duomo" is often overlooked by tourists but houses some of the most important art in Italy. The museum focuses mainly on sculptures. Many of the sculptures were moved to the museum for restoration or to protect them from the elements they were exposed to in their previous homes.

One of the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo’s most famous pieces is the Pieta carved by Michelangelo shortly before his death. Michelangelo never finished the sculpture and it was later completed by one of Michelangelo’s students. Other famous art pieces in the museum include Donatello’s Mary Magdalene and the original baptistery door panels by Ghiberti which are on display under natural light in the museum’s courtyard.

The museum actually houses a good deal of Donatello’s work. Donatello enthusiasts will enjoy seeing not only Mary Magdalene but also the Prophets that were carved for the bell tower and Donatello’s cantoria.

Admission into the museum is six euros for adults. Children under the age of six can visit the museum free of charge.