Muso Stibbert

Here is a place I think you will like. The Stibbert Museum is a hidden gem located in the northern part of Florence, away from the crowds of the city center. The museum houses an impressive collection of arms, armor, and costumes from around the world, making it an interesting historical attraction to visit. The beautifully decorated rooms and quiet atmosphere make for a lovely experience, and the museum is not as crowded as some of the other major attractions in Florence.

Before I forget, there is a small cafe behind the museum that serves hot meals. Not the most amazing food in Florence, but handy place to get some calories into you if low blood sugar is getting the better of you.

One of the highlights of The Stibbert Museum is its location in a beautiful garden. Giardino Bardini was designed by Zanobi del Rosso in the 14th century, in the Renaissance style. Del Rosso also designed the following gardens: the Boboli Gardens, the garden of Villa La Pietra, and the gardens of the Palazzo Pandolfini. Giardino Bardini is a peaceful and secluded space, perfect for taking a relaxed amble or finding a quiet spot to relax. From the garden, you can also enjoy remarkable views of the city below, including the famous Duomo.

The kids might like, the Giardini Baden Powell next door to Giardino Bardini. The park has a playground for children up to 12 years old, as well as grassy slopes not-at-all-bad for picnics. You can see a glimpse of the playground on the extreme left below….I wasn’t thinking of writing anything when I took the shot, so I photographed this drainage swale. I often get overcome by drainage infrastructure, it is the landscape in me still! 🙂

For panoramic views of Florence, head up the hill to Villa Fabbricotti. The grounds around the villa offer remarkable views of the city, including the Duomo, and it’s definitely worth the walk up the hill to take in the views from this hidden gem. The view from Villa Fabbricotti is similar to the popular Piazzale Michelangelo in that it puts the Duomo in context of the surrounding city, but differs in that it looks south instead of north, offering different lighting effects. The photo below shows a view of the surrounding neighbourhood. The spot with the longer views of the city are 50m from here.

And, here is the location.