Florence opens 20th century museum

'No longer city of the past', mayor says

(ANSA) - Florence, June 23 - Florence is "no longer a city of the past", Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella, told audiences at press conference on Monday for the inauguration of 20th Century Museum, the city's newest modern art museum. "After 50 years of waiting, Florence will have its museum of the Twentieth Century: a must-have in a city that wants to rely more and more on the contemporary and wants to be a national model for a new way of conceiving cultural heritage", Nardella said at the press conference.

The 20th Century museum, which was inaugurated on Monday, is housed in the former Leopoldine convent and hospital at the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, an 800 square meter space. The collection includes 300 paintings, sculptures, videos and installations by world-recognized Italian artists such as Giorgio de Chirico, Fortunato Depero, Alberto Moretti, Giorgio Morandi, Lucio Fontana and Carlo Carrà.

The 20th century museum, along with a national photography museum and restoration to Florence's basilica, represents the culmination of a decade-long commitment with Florentine financial bank Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze for the redevelopment of the piazza area, an over six million euros project. "Florence can no longer be considered a cradle of the past, without worrying about renovating itself", Nadella said As part of its event partnership with Lotto, Italy's state-run lottery, the museum "will offer free guided visits, family workshops and musical entertainment on June 28 and 29" Marzia Mastrogiacomo, director of Lotto, said.