Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Florence to Double Its Space

The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Florence is set to double its exhibition space following city council approval. The expansion, which adds 5,000 square meters to the existing 6,000, will bring the total to 11,000 square meters. The project involves the acquisition and restoration of Palazzo Compagni, a historic building at via Bufalini 7/9, recognized as a national artistic heritage site since 1901. The museum, founded in 1891, houses 750 sculptures by Michelangelo, Donatello, Ghiberti, and others. The expansion includes temporary exhibition spaces, a conference hall, a café, and a panoramic garden with views of Brunelleschi's Dome. A new volume will replace a 1920s structure in the garden, maintaining the same footprint and height. The project was designed by architects Marco Magni and Piero Guicciardini of Guicciardini & Magni Architetti, along with the late Adolfo Natalini, who also designed the current museum. The expansion has been granted public interest status, with exemptions from urban planning fees. Annual visitors have grown from 120,000 to over 600,000 since the 2015 reopening. The project aims to provide cultural and social benefits, rescuing Palazzo Compagni from tourist-oriented real estate development. The museum will also host conferences and improve visitor services. The work is expected to take at least two years.