Guided tours of the conservation laboratories and the OPD Museum, organised by the Associazione Amici dell’Opificio

The Friends of the Opificio Association (Associazione Amici dell’Opificio) was founded in 2005 as a demonstration of commitment to and pride in the Opificio delle Pietre Dure. Its mission is to provide the Institute with substantial and sustained support in the development, promotion and enhancement of its many areas of work. The Association’s principal aim is to advance, strengthen and support the Opificio’s activities.

The Friends of the Opificio Association organises guided tours of the Opificio Museum, educational activities for schools, and guided visits to the conservation laboratories for groups.

Museum Visits and School Activities

In collaboration with the Institute’s Cultural Promotion Office, the Friends of the Opificio Association organises:

• guided tours of the Opificio Museum (during opening hours, 8.15 am–2.00 pm), including activities designed for primary school pupils (download the information sheet)
• guided tours of the Opificio Museum for lower and upper secondary schools (during opening hours, 8.15 am–2.00 pm).

Bookings

Requests for guided museum visits and school activities should be sent to the Association’s Secretariat at: annalisa.innocenti@amiciopificio.org.

Guided Tours of the Conservation Laboratories and Museum for Groups

Guided tours of the conservation laboratories are organised by the Friends of the Opificio Association in collaboration with the Institute’s Cultural Promotion Office.

The laboratories open to visitors are located at three different sites:

• Via degli Alfani 78, the historic headquarters of the Opificio and home to the Museum, housing the departments of pietre dure inlay and mosaic, stone materials, bronzes and antique arms, and ceramics and plaster;
• Fortezza da Basso, housing the departments for the conservation of panel and canvas paintings, polychrome wooden sculpture and textiles;
• The Sala delle Bandiere in Palazzo Vecchio, home to the tapestry conservation laboratory.

Tours are led by the Institute’s conservators and specialist staff, last approximately two hours, and are available for groups of up to 20 participants, except for the tapestry conservation laboratory, where groups are limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

Available Times for Guided Tours

Visits to the laboratories at Via degli Alfani and Fortezza da Basso are available:

• Thursday and Friday afternoons (last tour: 2.00–4.00 pm);
• Saturday mornings (last tour: 9.00 am–12.00 noon).

Visits to the tapestry conservation laboratory in Palazzo Vecchio are available:

• Wednesday afternoons (last tour: 2.00–4.00 pm);
• Saturday mornings (last tour: 9.00 am–12.00 noon).

Bookings

Specialist guided tours of the Opificio Museum, or combined visits to the Museum and the Mosaic and Pietre Dure Inlay Conservation Laboratory, can be arranged for groups of up to 20 participants.

Available times:

• Thursday and Friday afternoons (last tour: 2.00–4.00 pm).

Guided tours may also be conducted in English.

Requests for guided visits to the conservation laboratories should be sent to the Association’s Secretariat at: annalisa.innocenti@amiciopificio.org.

Fees

A contribution fee is required for each group and each visit. Payment must be made in advance by bank transfer to the Friends of the Opificio Association.

Specialist Guided Tours of the Conservation Laboratories (Via degli Alfani and Fortezza da Basso)

• Maximum participants: 20
• Days: Thursday and Friday afternoons; Saturday mornings
• Fee: €400 per group
• Reduced fee: €300 for universities and schools (access restricted to students in the final two years of upper secondary education)

Specialist Guided Tours of the Tapestry Conservation Laboratory (Sala delle Bandiere, Palazzo Vecchio)

• Maximum participants: 10
• Days: Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings
• Fee: €400 per group
• Reduced fee: €300 for universities and schools (access restricted to students in the final two years of upper secondary education)

Specialist Guided Tours of the Opificio Museum

• Maximum participants: 20
• Days: Thursday and Friday afternoons
• Fee: €400 per group
• Reduced fee: €350 for universities and schools

Specialist Guided Tours of the Museum and the Mosaic and Pietre Dure Inlay Laboratory

• Maximum participants: 20
• Days: Thursday and Friday afternoons
• Fee: €500 per group
• Reduced fee: €450 for universities and schools (access restricted to students in the final two years of upper secondary education)