The project

The Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze recognizes the fundamental educational functions of the historical and artistic heritage, a symbol of the historical memory and of the cultural continuity of a place, and considers vital the safeguarding and promotion of these assets.

A precise cultural and civil strategy that aims to increase the value of the numerous cultural identities historically acquired by the various local communities for the development and marking out of our territory where museums can be found everywhere even in its most remote corners.

From this viewpoint, the Little Big Museums initiative is part of a comprehensive operational plan under the title, “Discovering the region”, preceded by the constant, profound and generous commitment of the Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze in carrying out the numerous undertakings among which were the preparation of local museums, restoration and the publication of scientific catalogs, often linked to the territorial network of small metropolitan museums.

“The minor museums house works of art which are not only beautiful but are also history made real, made tangible. The minor museums reflect the history of the so-called small native land and it is for this reason that the PGM (Piccoli Grandi Musei/Little Big Museums) project is a political, cultural and educational operation of great importance”, Antonio Paolucci, Regional Superintendent for Historical and Artistic Heritage of Tuscany, in charge of the PGM Project

Little, but at the same time big, our museums, scattered throughout the city of Florence and the surrounding countryside, are not well-known in the traditional tourist circuits. Nevertheless, they preserve extraordinary treasures and hand down the history and culture of the territory of which they are part.

To begin with, a permanent system of promotion, involving communication campaigns, cultural events and major exhibitions, popular and scientific editorial initiatives and an effective Internet network for orientation and public awareness, has been dedicated to 23 minor museums.

The discovery of so many masterpieces and thematic and geographic itineraries begins by exploring three principal sections: historical collection museums, scientific museums as well as territorial museums, which include sacred art museums. All at the click of a mouse.

The Little Big Museums portal - whose contents, in fact, are carefully edited by historians of art , science and both of the major and minor arts - intends to make all the wealth and complexity of the Florentine territory’s cultural heritage stand out in order to make it truly enjoyable both to citizens and tourists.

As the first example of what will be a real and true museum experience, the site offers both the possibility to get to know the museums’ collections through multimedia catalogs with a sophisticated research function, and to travel virtually along alternative itineraries. It also offers a means for in-depth study such as accurate bibliographies and a repertory of links as well as thematic references. In addition, museum curators have been entrusted with the section related to current museum events, including pointing out the most important initiatives such as exhibitions, workshops, or educational, editorial and study activities.