Museo Galileo
Quick answer
Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy — the Museo Galileo in Florence is dedicated to the history of science, housed in Palazzo Castellani on Piazza dei Giudici beside the Uffizi. Open Wednesday to Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Tuesday until 1:00 PM). Admission: €10 standard admission. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Museo Galileo at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Wednesday to Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Tuesday until 1:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Admission | €10 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday afternoon — compact museum, rarely crowded. |
| Getting there | Walk: Piazza dei Giudici — between the Uffizi and Ponte alle Grazie on the Arno |
| Address | Piazza dei Giudici, 1, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy |
| Official website | museogalileo.it |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Museo Galileo known for?
The Museo Galileo in Florence is dedicated to the history of science, housed in Palazzo Castellani on Piazza dei Giudici beside the Uffizi. Founded in 1930 as the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, it was renamed in 2010 to honour Florence's most famous scientist.
The collection comprises scientific instruments assembled by the Medici and Lorraine grand dukes of Tuscany — telescopes, armillary spheres, sundials, thermometers, and anatomical models. Galileo Galilei's original telescopes and the lens through which he discovered Jupiter's moons are the museum's most venerated objects.
The museum also displays the middle finger of Galileo's right hand, removed during his reburial in 1737 — a macabre relic that draws as much attention as the instruments. Interactive displays explain the principles behind the instruments.
Its location on the Arno, steps from the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio, makes it an easy addition to any Florence itinerary for visitors interested in the history of science and the Medici patronage.
Best for: Science Enthusiasts · History Enthusiasts · Families with Older Children
How long do you need at Museo Galileo?
Allow 1.5–2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Museo Galileo without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Galileo's Telescopes
📍 Galileo Gallery
Two surviving telescopes made by Galileo, including one used to discover Jupiter's moons — among the most important scientific instruments in existence.
- 2
Galileo's Middle Finger
📍 Trophy Room
The middle finger of Galileo's right hand, detached when his body was transferred to the Basilica of Santa Croce and displayed as a secular relic.
- 3
Armillary Sphere
📍 Medici Collection Gallery
A large cosmographic armillary sphere made for Ferdinando I de' Medici, showing the Ptolemaic cosmos in gilded brass.
- 4
Terrestrial and Celestial Globes
📍 Lorraine Gallery
Monumental paired globes over two metres in diameter, among the finest ever constructed.
What are the must-see works at Museo Galileo?
4 highlights that define the collection: Galileo's Telescopes, Galileo's Middle Finger, Armillary Sphere and more.
Galileo's Telescopes
Galileo Galilei · c. 1609–1610
📍 Galileo Gallery
Two surviving telescopes made by Galileo, including one used to discover Jupiter's moons — among the most important scientific instruments in existence.
Galileo's Middle Finger
Relic · removed 1737
📍 Trophy Room
The middle finger of Galileo's right hand, detached when his body was transferred to the Basilica of Santa Croce and displayed as a secular relic.
Armillary Sphere
Antonio Santucci · 1593
📍 Medici Collection Gallery
A large cosmographic armillary sphere made for Ferdinando I de' Medici, showing the Ptolemaic cosmos in gilded brass.
Terrestrial and Celestial Globes
Vincenzo Coronelli · 1693
📍 Lorraine Gallery
Monumental paired globes over two metres in diameter, among the finest ever constructed.
Collections and highlights
- • Galileo's telescopes and scientific instruments
- • Medici scientific instrument collection
- • Lorraine grand ducal collections
- • Armillary spheres and astrolabes
- • Anatomical and mathematical instruments
- • Sundials, clocks, and thermometers
- • Interactive science displays
- • Galileo relics and manuscripts
Tips for visiting Museo Galileo
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday afternoon — compact museum, rarely crowded.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate; much quieter than the Uffizi next door.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around €10 standard admission; combined tickets with Palazzo Vecchio available.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Uffizi area restaurants; food market at Sant'Ambrogio (10-minute walk).
- 5.
Accessibility
Historic palazzo with lift access to all floors.
How do you get to Museo Galileo?
- walk Piazza dei Giudici — between the Uffizi and Ponte alle Grazie on the Arno
- bus City buses along Lungarno delle Grazie and Via de' Benci
- train Santa Maria Novella — 15-minute walk through the historic centre
Address: Piazza dei Giudici, 1, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Museo Galileo: frequently asked questions
Is the museum on the Arno?
Yes, it sits next to the Uffizi on the river.
Are family workshops available?
Yes, the museum runs hands-on science workshops on weekends.
How long should I spend at Museo Galileo?
Plan 1.5–2 hours for the highlights of Museo Galileo. Our 4-stop route — Galileo's Telescopes, Galileo's Middle Finger, Armillary Sphere and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Museo Galileo best known for?
Founded in 1930, the museum is dedicated to the scientific instruments collected by the Medici and Lorraine grand dukes of Tuscany. Key highlights include Galileo's original telescopes, Galileo's middle finger relic, Mercator and Vincenzo Coronelli globes.
How do I get tickets for Museo Galileo?
Admission: €10 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.museogalileo.it/en/
Is Galileo's middle finger really on display?
Yes — it is displayed in a reliquary-style glass container in the Trophy Room, alongside other Galileo relics.
Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes — interactive displays and the telescope collection engage older children. Allow about 90 minutes.
Is it on the Arno riverbank?
Yes — Palazzo Castellani sits on Piazza dei Giudici, one block from the Arno between the Uffizi and the Biblioteca delle Nazioni.
What are Museo Galileo's opening hours?
Museo Galileo is open Wednesday to Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Tuesday until 1:00 PM). Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Museo Galileo free to visit?
No — standard admission is €10 standard admission.
