A new multisensory experience at the Gallery of Modern Art
A new special tour to discover the masterpieces from the 19th century on
Discovering and distinguishing artworks, figures, events, customs and traditions of the 19th century in the Gallery of Modern Art's collections at Pitti Palace. Special tours from 23 October 2025
The Gallery of Modern Art in Pitti Palace becomes a multisensory museum: “History between your fingers” is the new sensory tour organised by the Uffizi Galleries, starting on 23 October 2025. Guided by Gianfranco Terzo, teacher at the Porta Romana Art School in Florence, participants will explore through their fingers a number of sculptures epitomising the 19th-entury historical and artistic movements and genres, which are part of the permanent collection of the museum located on the second floor of the Medicean palace.
Among the sculptures of the tour are the portrait of Grand Duke Leopold II Habsburg-Lorraine by Ottaviano Giovannozzi; the sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini portrayed by his pupil Pasquale Romanelli; Italian and foreign distinguished women and men of the Florentine and Italian society, including the famous bronze portrait of Giuseppe Verdi by Vincenzo Gemito.
The works will take participants on a journey through the 19th century, rich in curiosities and stories, complemented by the presentation of everyday objects that are no longer in use today: a set of writing instruments, illustrating the art of writing in ways that are now completely forgotten; accessories for hairstyles and clothing, and much more. Also, during the visit, different objects will be shown, each one related to the relevant portrayed figure.
The tactile tour will be completed by listening to musical and literary pieces and with an olfactory sensory experience, capable of bringing the atmosphere of the time back to life through smells and scents rich in charm and history, arousing emotions and memories and taking participants back in time: Parma violets, orange blossoms, tobacco, chocolate, and so forth.
An immersive and engaging way to discover or deepen your knowledge of 19th-century italian culture and history.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
The multisensory tour take place every Thursday morning from 23 October 2025 to May 2026, from 10AM to 12PM (except Christmas and Easter holidays: 25.12.2025, 01.01.2026, 02.04.2026).
Participation is by reservation only and is included in the Pitti Palace ticket price. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour. After a brief introduction by the staff of the Cultural Mediation and Accessibility Department, participants will be blindfolded and guided through the visit.
For information and reservations, please write to uffiziaccessibili@cultura.gov.it.
