Children’s Toy Museum in Florence.
In 2021, a new museum, the Toy Museum, opened in the center of Florence just a couple of minutes’ walk from the city center.
It features two unusual private collections.
One of them is dedicated to the most famous character in Italian children’s literature. Of course, we are talking about the marionette carved from a pine log, named Pinocchio.
There couldn’t be a better place to tell the story of his adventures and the history of the creation of the most famous Italian children’s book, as Florence is the hometown of Pinocchio’s creator, writer Carlo Collodi.
The second part of the museum is a private collection of antique toys. In the display cases of the halls live dolls dressed in ruffles with real curls and porcelain faces, worn plush animals, the first wind-up toys, old board games, Victorian-style dollhouses, and tin soldiers from the First World War.
The collection is arranged chronologically, starting from the oldest toys of the 19th century up to the beginning of the 21st century.
Some toys are very similar to those that modern children still play with. And some of them have forever gone out of use and become part of history.
Visiting this museum is an exciting way for families with children to spend time together in Florence. Parents will remember their younger selves, and children will learn more about their peers who lived decades ago.
The museum is open every day except December 24 and 25.
