Statua Della Scimmia is an outdoor monkey sculpture in Piazza Bernardo Tanucci, 50134 Firenze, in Florence’s residential Romito–Vittoria area northwest of the historic center. Its appeal is straightforward: an unusual animal subject encountered in an everyday Florentine neighborhood, away from the monumental sculpture circuits around Piazza della Signoria. Visit for a brief look and a photograph, then continue through the surrounding streets to see a less tourist-oriented side of the city.
What to Expect at Statua Della Scimmia
This is a small public-art stop, not a museum, archaeological site, or enclosed sculpture garden. The monkey is the reason to pause: look at its silhouette, the treatment of its face and limbs, and how the figure reads against the surrounding urban setting. Move around the sculpture where pedestrian access allows, rather than judging it from a single photograph. There are no galleries, ticket desks, or prescribed visitor routes; the experience is an informal encounter with an object in the streetscape.
The setting helps distinguish this visit from central Florence. Piazza Tanucci belongs to the residential city beyond the former medieval walls, where apartment buildings, local shops, and ordinary traffic replace the concentrated Renaissance landmarks of the cathedral district. The neighborhood developed through Florence’s expansion outside its older core during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Keep the sculpture in that local context: this is a worthwhile short detour for travelers interested in public art and neighborhood detail, rather than an attraction around which to organize an entire morning.
- Monkey subject: An animal figure offers a change from Florence’s more familiar saints, rulers, and mythological heroes.
- Open-air viewing: See the sculpture without entering a building or arranging a timed admission.
- Piazza Bernardo Tanucci: The square places the artwork within a working residential neighborhood rather than a museum precinct.
- Street photography: Include the surrounding streetscape to show the sculpture’s scale and everyday setting.
- Neighborhood walking route: Combine the stop with Piazza Leopoldo and Piazza della Vittoria instead of making a separate cross-city journey.
Statua Della Scimmia at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Piazza Bernardo Tanucci, 50134 Firenze FI, Italy; no numbered entrance |
| Neighborhood / Area | Romito–Vittoria, northwest of Florence’s historic center |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Sunday, open 24 hours as an outdoor public-space attraction |
| Admission / Price Range | Free; $ |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | T1 tram at Leopoldo; regulated street parking in surrounding roads, subject to signs and availability |
| Official Website & Phone | Florence municipal information; +39 055 055, municipal contact center, not a sculpture ticket office |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Choose daylight for examining the figure and taking photographs; round-the-clock access does not make darkness the most useful viewing time. No reservation is needed. From central Florence, take tram T1 toward Careggi and alight at Leopoldo, then allow roughly 5–10 minutes to walk to Piazza Tanucci. Consult the official Florence tram website for service information. Driving offers little advantage for such a short visit: use only permitted spaces, check payment periods and resident restrictions, and avoid leaving a vehicle stopped beside the sculpture.
The visit takes place at street level, with no museum staircase or tower climb. Wheelchair users and families with strollers should plan around pavement edges, road crossings, and parked vehicles; viewing the artwork does not require climbing onto its base. There is no staffed visitor facility attached to the sculpture, so plan café and toilet stops separately. Pair it with Piazza Leopoldo, about 5–10 minutes away, for neighborhood shops and a refreshment break, or Piazza della Vittoria, roughly a 10-minute walk east, for another perspective on Florence’s residential streets and local daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best visiting time?
The sculpture is accessible outdoors 24 hours a day, every day. Visit in daylight for a clearer view of the figure and easier navigation around the square.
Do I need a ticket or reservation?
No ticket, admission payment, or reservation is required. This is a public-space sculpture, not a staffed attraction with an entrance procedure.
How much time should I allow?
Allow 10–15 minutes to look closely and take photographs. Budget around an hour if you also walk through the neighboring squares and stop for coffee.
Is it suitable for children and wheelchair users?
The animal subject makes an easy, short stop with children, although the surrounding streets require supervision. Viewing is at street level; wheelchair and stroller approaches depend on navigating the local pavements and crossings.
When planning your Florence travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Florence, pair this stop with standout local spots including Via San Leonardo, Museo Pietro Parigi, Palazzo Vecchio, and BADRANE SERVIZI PUBBLICO (0.5 km away).
