There are places in Tuscany where time seems to slow down, leaving room for wonder. Val d’Elsa is one of these: an area that tells centuries of history through its landscapes, its villages and, above all, its museums. Visiting them means letting yourself be guided by your emotions, coming into contact with the living memory of a land that speaks through art, crafts and traditions. Each museum reveals a precious fragment of the identity of this valley.

And if you’re wondering where to start, we’ll take you on a journey to discover five unmissable museums, where culture comes to life and history becomes an experience.

Casa Boccaccio in Certaldo

The house, located at number 18 Via Boccaccio, is where, according to tradition, the famous poet and writer Giovanni Boccaccio (who was born in Certaldo in 1313) spent various periods of his life. Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, it was rebuilt and turned into a museum and headquarters of the Ente Nazionale Giovanni Boccaccio (Giovanni Boccaccio National Foundation). Inside, visitors can admire 17th-century objects and furniture, as well as a fresco by the Florentine painter Pietro Benvenuti depicting Boccaccio at his desk, commissioned by the Marquise Carlotta Lenzoni de’ Medici in 1826. The house-museum also houses a specialised library with more than 4,000 volumes, whose most interesting holdings include translations of the Decameron and valuable works such as 16th-18th century prints and editions illustrated by artists.

BeGo Museum in Castelfiorentino

Located in the centre of the lower town of Castelfiorentino, a short walk from the railway station, the BeGo Museum is dedicated to the painter Benozzo Gozzoli (1420–1497), considered one of the masters of the early Florentine Renaissance. Opened in 2009, it houses two impressive cycles of frescoes belonging to the Tabernacle of the Madonna della Tosse and the Tabernacle of the Madonna delle Grazie (also known as the Visitation), painted by the artist in 1484 and 1491 respectively (and which once stood along the roads leading to Castelfiorentino). The museum also displays numerous sinopias, which offer a privileged insight into the creative genius of Benozzo Gozzoli, highlighting both his skill in drawing and his expertise in the creation of frescoes.

Museum of the Collegiate Church of Sant’Andrea in Empoli

Founded in 1859, the Museum of the Collegiate Church of Sant’Andrea in Empoli is one of the oldest ecclesiastical museums in Italy. Housed in the ancient Palazzo della Propositura (attached to the collegiate church), it contains several masterpieces from the churches of the Empoli parish, which bear witness to centuries of the city’s artistic and spiritual history. Among the works on display are: the extraordinary detached fresco depicting Christ in Pietà by Masolino da Panicale (which became a symbol and inspiration for the New York artist Bill Viola), the small Majesty by Filippo Lippi, the baptismal font by Bernardo Rossellino and the panel painting The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Jacopo da Empoli. The exhibition allows visitors to understand the evolution of sacred art and appreciate the interaction between faith and culture.

Colle di Val d’Elsa Crystal Museum

Housed in the former Boschi glassworks (the driving force behind Colle’s economy between the 1920s and the early 1950s), the Colle di Val d’Elsa Crystal Museum traces the history of the local glass industry from the early 19th century to the definitive establishment of lead crystal (1963), which characterised all production in the second half of the 20th century. The story begins in 1820, when Francesco Mathis from Alsace opened a modest glassworks next to the Church of Sant’Agostino. Also on display are artefacts from the 14th-15th centuries and objects engraved using the ancient copper wheel technique. Among the works on display are: the world’s tallest handmade crystal glass; the glass by the designer Cibi, held by the famous actor Harrison Ford in the film Blade Runner; and the handmade crystal helmet dedicated to Valentino Rossi, Italian 125cc champion (1995).

Montelupo Fiorentino Ceramics Museum

The Ceramics Museum is located in Piazza Vittorio Veneto and tells the story of Montelupo majolica from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. It preserves a heritage of about 5,550 majolica pieces, of which 1,200 are on display to the public. The collection includes numerous finds from excavations in the ancient waste dumps of local manufacturers, enriched by pieces donated or purchased over time. Among the most important works is the Rosso di Montelupo, a majolica basin of extraordinary chromatic and decorative richness made in 1509 by Lorenzo di Piero Sartori. The permanent exhibition is organised into eight rooms: the medieval and Renaissance table, the excavations, the potter’s workshop, collecting and masterpieces, exports, commissions, the pharmacy and, finally, the room of animals and flowers (designed especially for children).

Visiting the museums of Val d’Elsa means taking a journey through time and into the spirit of authentic Tuscany, made up of art, work and passion. Every room, every fresco and every object tells a story that still speaks today. After a day dedicated to culture, there is nothing better than returning to Paluffo, among hills and sunsets, to rediscover the silence, beauty and hospitality of home.

Photo © Irene Taddei