Palazzo Pitti in Florence: opening times, ticket prices and description of the magnificent palace

A true wonder of Florentine architecture, Palazzo Pitti was commissioned by the Pitti family in 1457; it was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built by his pupil Luca Fancelli. Originally, the building included only the central part of the building, but subsequent changes took place over the course of four centuries, leading to the realization of both the large and gorgeous courtyard and the two side wings, as well as the forecourt overlooking the famous Boboli Gardens. Palazzo Pitti was home to noble families such as the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy.

As of today, Palazzo Pitti (sometimes called Pitti Palace) houses some of the most important museums in Florence. The first floor houses the Palatine Gallery, which contains a large collection of paintings from the Sixteenth and Seventeenth century (including works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens and Pietro da Cortona), and also the Royal Apartments, whose old furniture dates back to the Nineteenth century. On the ground and first floor is instead the Museo degli Argenti, where you can find a large collection of precious objects that belonged to the Medici.

The prestigious Gallery of Modern Art is located on the top floor of Palazzo Pitti and it includes in its halls an exceptional collection of paintings and sculptures of the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, such as a rich collection of paintings of the "Macchiaioli" movement. Finally, the Porcelain Museum is housed in the Palazzina del Cavaliere, which is detached from the building and immersed in the Boboli Gardens; nearby there is the Palazzina della Meridiana, which houses the Costume Gallery, one of the most important museums of the history of fashion in the world, with a heritage of thousands of pieces from ‘700 to ‘900. Palazzo Pitti also houses temporary exhibitions and various kinds of cultural events are held in there.

Palazzo Pitti is located in Piazza Pitti 1, inside the Oltrarno area; it is situated on the left bank of the Arno River, in the historic center of Florence. The opening times and ticket prices vary according to the museum that you want to visit:

• The Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments and the Gallery of Modern Art are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:15 am to 6:50 pm (ticket office closes at 6:05 pm though), with closing scheduled on every Monday and New Year's Eve, Christmas Day and May Day. The admission fee to visit these three museums costs € 8.50 (reduced € 4.25);
• The Museo degli Argenti, the Costume Gallery, the Porcelain Museum and the Boboli Gardens observe different opening times depending on the season. From April to October there is daily opening from 8:15 am to 6:30 pm (April, September, October) or to 6:50 pm (June , July, August). In winter months closing time is generally anticipated to 4:30 pm. The last entry slot is always half an hour before closing. The admission fee to visit all four museums costs € 7.00 (reduced € 3.50). Closing days: the first and last Monday of each month, New Year, Christmas Day and May Day.