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Magic with stones A Working Museum
[Susan Glasspool]
A workshop rather than just a museum, with a centuries’ old experience. Utterly fascinating, yet often missed out of many tourist routes, the Museum and Opificio (Workshop) of Semi-precious Stones and Mosaics in Via Alfani no. 78, was created in the 19th century from the storerooms of the old workshop were originally set up by Ferdinando I dei Medici in 1588 to carry out the magnificent decorations for the Chapel of the Princes in San Lorenzo, a real family Pantheon. The Opificio continued its activity under the Lorraine, Bourbon and Savoy families. Although it was to lose its primary function in the 20th century, it was then transformed into one of the most important institutes of restoration in the world.
Completely restructured and re-arranged in 1995, the museum is quite unique and provides materials and highly specialised labour for original works and restoration throughout the world. Its five rooms on the ground floor and its upper floor moreover all allow access for the disabled.
The museum offers various sections that cover over three centuries and contain a fascinating display of Florentine mosaics, an artistic speciality that reached its greatest heights from the 16th century onwards. Cosimo I de’ Medici and his son Francesco invited master inlayers from all over Europe to come and work in the craft laboratories at the Uffizi (Bilivert was one of them). The level of craftsmanship was so high that it was possible to create really complicated pictures, tables, panels, cupboards and furniture, carvings and everyday objects, all on view in this museum.
The Museum also boasts a display of work benches and instruments as well as samples of over 600 different types of hard stone and marble that come from all parts of the world, all of them arranged according to date from the late 16th century to today.
Try and find time between visits to the main museums in Florence to tour this particularly interesting institute - and remember that, apart from the the wonderful inlays in the Medici Chapel of the Princes made by the Opificio - many of the exhibits you have seen elsewhere may have been restored right in this building.
Museum Details:
Address: Via Alfani, 78, Florence
Hours: Monday-Saturday
9-9.15am - 10.45-11am - 12.30-12.45pm
Thursdays also 14-14.15/15.45-16pm - 17.30- 17.45pm
Closed on Sundays and holidays
Entrance: e 2,00
Information and bookings:
Museum of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure - tel. 055.265111
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