Easter and Easter Monday in Tuscany museums: special openings and free

Museums in Tuscany: special openings for Easter and Easter Monday

During the Easter holidays several Tuscan museums offer special opening arrangements: many sites are free on Easter Sunday thanks to the first-Sunday-of-the-month policy; Easter Monday is frequently open as well but usually requires a regular ticket. Below are the main opportunities and highlights to plan your visit.

Museo di San Marco (Florence): Beato Angelico and Rothko

At Museo di San Marco visitors can admire the reopened Sala del Beato Angelico, featuring 33 panel paintings that make it one of the most important collections of the master. The display includes works recently restored and pieces not previously on public view.

On the first floor the special section of the exhibition Rothko in Florence presents five works by Mark Rothko placed in dialogue with the convent’s frescoed cells (cells 1, 3, 4, 6, 7). The selection emphasizes chromatic and material affinities, creating a route where sacred imagery meets modern abstraction.

Arezzo and province: exhibitions and reopened spaces

• Museo Archeologico Gaio Cilnio Mecenate – Exhibition on the Minerva of Arezzo with an updated immersive display narrating the sculpture’s discovery, collecting history and conservation. The exhibition is paired with events, workshops and educational activities.
• Casa Vasari Museum – The Camera di Abramo (Vasari’s wedding chamber) and the rooftop garden are accessible again, showcasing one of the most significant Mannerist decorative cycles in the artist’s home.
• Basilica of San Francesco and the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art – Chronological displays from the early Middle Ages to the 19th century, including masterpieces such as Piero della Francesca’s works.
• Palazzo Taglieschi (Museum of Folk Arts and Traditions) – Collections of Robbiane terracotta and the Madonna with Child by Jacopo della Quercia, plus local tradition exhibits.
• Area archeologica del Sodo (Cortona) – Visits to Etruscan funerary monuments and a rare tomb with a monumental decorated altar dating to the early 6th century BC.
• Abbey of Soffena (Castelfranco Piandiscò) – Open on Easter Monday to display late Gothic and Renaissance frescoes, including the Annunciation by Giovanni di Ser Giovanni (Scheggia).

Some venues provide Italian Sign Language (LIS) audio/video guides to improve accessibility and engage wider audiences.

Livorno and Elba: selected openings

• Villa San Martino (Portoferraio, Elba) – Napoleon’s summer residence offers visits that recount the Emperor’s exile period and display decorated rooms and memorabilia.
• Castiglioncello Archaeological Museum – Open on selected days (notably Easter in some notices) with displays from local necropolises.

Practical tips for visiting

• Check official museum websites or social channels for updated opening hours and any reservation rules.
• Bear in mind that Easter Sunday may be free but Easter Monday usually requires purchasing a ticket.
• Book ahead when possible to avoid queues, especially for popular exhibitions and hallmark rooms.
• Look for accessibility options and services; many museums provide inclusive tools and specialized tours.

Plan your trip to make the most of the special openings and discover the artistic and historical treasures of Tuscany’s museums.