Favorite Tour Places in Northern Italy (Alphabetical by City - Highlighted w/ Green Font):
Bergamo (a short train ride from Milan)
Accademia Carrara
(Houses 26 of the Original Visconti Tarot Cards from around 1450)
Address: Piazza Giacomo Carrara 82, Bergamo
Telephone: (+39) 035 234 396
Closed Tuesdays - Hours: 10 AM - 7 PM (typically)
Standard admission price: €. 10 Euro
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
(Has richly symbolic inlays by Lorenzo Lotto [1553] & other
mysterious esoteric art, rarely seen by visitors -
Needs special permission & guided tour for behind the altar.
Author, Mauro Zanchi was our (English) guide. His book & others available).
Address: Piazza Duomo, 24129 Bergamo
Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Telephone: +39 035 223327
(Donations appreciated)
Bologna
Basilica of Saint Petronius
(Artworks with early Tarot iconography such as XII Hanged Man & XXI World)
Location: Piazza Galvani, 5, 40124, Bologna
Telephone (+39) 051 231415 - E-mail: basilicasanpetronio@alice.it Open daily: 7:45 AM – 1:30 PM - 3:00 – 6:30 PM
St. Stefano Basilica & Even More Ancient Isis Temple
(Ancient Isis Goddess Temple from 2nd century found within)
Address: Via Santo Stefano, 24, 40125 Bologna
Telephone: (+39) 051 223256 Or 051 6480611
Hours: 8:00 AM - 7 PM (except when mass is in service)
(Donations appreciated)
St Catherine of Bologna
(Shrine of 500 year old mummified, sainted nun who
may have also inspired Visconti II High Priestess image)
Inside Poor Clares Chapel, near Corpus Domini Church
(Donations appreciated)
Capalbio (Grosseto)
Tarot Garden of Niki de Saint Phalle
Giardino dei Tarocchi
Days & Hours: from April 1st to October 15th
Open Daily from 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Garavicchio, 58011 Capalbio, Grosseto
Tel. (+39) 0564 895122
Regular Entrance: €. 12 Euro
Clusone
Astronomical Clock from 1583
(Unique in the world and still working!)
Designed by mathematician, engineer Pietro Fanzago
Clock tower is located in the highest part of Clusone
Triumph of Death and Dance of Death Frescos
Frescos by Giacomo Borlone de Buschis, from 1485
Location: Painted on outer wall of Oratorio dei Disciplini
(walking distance from astrological clock tower, mentioned above)
Ferrara
Museo Della Cattedrale ~ Cathedral Art Museum
(Esoteric works including St. George & the Dragon by Cosmè Tura)
Hours: 9 AM - 1 PM ~ 3 PM - 6 PM Closed Mondays
Location: Via San Romano, 44121, Ferrara
Info & Booking: Telephone: 0532 244949
E-mail: Diamanti@commune.fe.it
Regular admission: €. 6 Euro
Palazzo Schifanoia Museo ~ Schifanoia Palace Museum
(Astrological frescos by or inspired by Francesco del Cossa &
Cosmè Tura; created 1469–70. Leisure Palace of royal Este family.)
Hours: 9:30 AM to 6 PM ~ Closed Mondays
Admission: € 3. Euro (includes Museum Lapidary)
Enjoy the garden café and bookshop at end of museum tour
Location: Via Scandiana, 23, Ferrara
Contact: Tel. 0532/244949
Castello Estense ~ Este Castle
(Moated medieval castle in the center of Ferrara
A museum with interesting Renaissance artifacts and
historical references relating to the royal Este family,
who had strong ties to early Tarot. )
Address: Largo Castello 1, Ferrara
Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM Closed Mondays
Telephone: (+39) 0532 299233
Admission: € 8. Euro
Florence (Firenze)
Accademia Gallery
(Home to Michelangelo’s David's & esoteric works from the Renaissance)
Location: Via Ricasoli 58-60 – near Piazza San Marco
Contact & pre-order tickets: www/Accademia.Org
Standard Admission: € 23. Euro (combined museum offers available)
Reservations recommended
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore ~
St. Maria Cathedral of Florence
(1200's cathedral w/ infamous red-tiled dome, marble facade and elegant Giotto tower)
Address: Piazza del Duomo, Firenze
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday - Friday, Sunday 1:30 – 4:45 PM, Saturday Closed
Telephone: (+39) 055 230 2885
Regular Admission: € 10. Euro
Galleria degli Uffizi ~ Uffizi Gallery
(Most visited art museum in Florence, showcasing Renaissance art by: Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raffaello & more)
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 50129, Firenze
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 8:15 AM – 6:30 PM, Closed Mondays
Telephone: (+39) 055 975 7007
Standard Admission: € 23. Euro (multi museum offers available)
Reservations recommended
Milan
Castello Sforzesco ~ Castle Visconti Sforza Museum
(Built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan -
a cycle of frescos tell a tale that includes image of nobility playing Tarot)
Located in 'Chamber of Griselda' (XVII Room);
Special 'Griselda' exhibit: €. 5 Euro
Museum also hosts works by Leonardo da Vinci
& Bonifacio Bembo (of earliest known Tarot deck)
Address: Piazza Castello, 27029, Milano
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM Closed Mondays
Telephone: (+39) 02 8846 3700
Il Meneghello Tarot Shop
(And il Meneghello legacy site, by Arnell, with more details & images)
Osvaldo Menegazzi's legendary Tarot Shop
(Historical reproductions & lovely handcrafted deck sets,
shadowboxes & other unique Tarot/art collectables)
New Location: Corso di Porta Ticinese, 53 20123
Reservations recommended (Cristina speaks some English):
E-mail: Cristina Dorsini Phone: +39 339 739 7608
Metro: Green Line: Sant'Ambrogio, Yellow Line: Duomo (Cathedral)
To Arrive by Tram: Line 3
Leonardo da Vinci's Vineyard - La Vigna di Leonardo
Restored & opened to public in 2015, this gorgeous garden & sanctuary was a gift
to da Vinci from Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan in 1498
Address: Corso Magenta 65 - 20123 Milan
Tickets & Info Phone: +39.02.4816150 E-mail: info@vignadileonardo.com
Arrive by Metro: MM1/MM2 Cadorna, MM1 Conciliazione, MM2 S. Ambrogio
Train: FNM Stazione Cadorna OR Tram: 16 & 19 or Autobus: 18, 50, 58, 94
Hours: Monday - Friday 9am to 6pm (tours every 30 minutes)
Saturday - Sunday 9am to 6pm (tours every 15 minutes - last 25 minutes, also offered in English)
Entrance €. 10 Euro - Reservations recommended (especially weekends & summer)
(Combining with nearby 'Last Supper' online - limited availability)
Pinacoteca di Brera ~ The Brera
(Houses 48 Cards from the Brambilla Visconti Tarot
+ all 78 Sola Busca cards - the oldest complete deck in existence)
Private institution - requires written permission & reservation
Location: Pinacoteca di Brera, Via Brera, 28, Milano
Switchboard tel. 02722631 - Fax: 0272001140 - Voicemail: 0272263204-234
E-mail: sbsae-mi.segreteria@beniculturali.it
All correspondence to be addressed:
Superintendent BEAP, Corso Magenta, 24, 20123 Milan, Italy
Riola (Province of Bologna)
International Tarot Museum - Museo dei Tarocchi
Director: Morena Poltronieri & Ernesto Fazioli
(Impressive collection of original Tarot art & decks from rare to unusual & popular)
Museum's Tarot deck & bookshop
Address: Via Palmieri 5/1 - 40038 Riola (Bologna Province - An hour train ride from Bologna station)
Museum Entrance €. 10 Euro - Reservation Required
E-mail: museodeitarocchi@gmail.com
Cell: +39 3349975005
How to visit by car, train or bus
Additionally, a showcase site by Arnell (has deck & book write-ups, images, info etc.)
Rocchetta Mattei Castle
Built from 1850 by Herbalist, Dr. Cesare Mattei. Full of esoteric, symbolic art & architecture from many cultures. Communicates in a cryptic code related to Tarot.
Address: Ponte Rocchetta, 46A, 40030 Grizzana Morandi, Riola, (BO)
Entrance: €.10 Euro - Reservation required, (currently weekends only)
Phone: +39 051 673 0311 (or 051 673 0335)
E-mail: rocchettamattei@comune.grizzanamorandi.bo.it
(5 Minute drive from the Tarot Museum, 20 minute by foot from train station.)
Siena
Duomo di Siena ~ Siena Cathedral
(Medieval church; commenced in 1215.
Has esoteric artworks + early Tarot iconography.)
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100
Hours: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Standard Admission: €. 4 Euro or get multi pass paired with museums
Telephone: (+39) 0577 286300
E-mail: opasiena@operalaboratori.com
Museo Civico di Siena
~ Siena Civic Museum of Art
(Commissioned by governing body rather than Church, so artworks depict secular themes.)
Artwork that inspired Pamela Coleman Smith, while working on the infamous Waite/Smith Tarot [from 1909]
Address: Piazza del Campo, 1, 53100 Siena (in Plaza, under tower)
Hours: 10 AM - 7 PM summer ~ 10 AM to 6 PM winter
Telephone:(+39) 0577 292226
E-mail: ticket@comune.siena.it
Full Price: € 9. Euro, or € 8. with reservation
Piazza del Campo ~ Siena Plaza
Location: Piazza Il Campo, 53100 Siena
(Historic center of Siena & one of Europe's great medieval round squares).
Renowned for its architectural integrity and the bareback horse races between townships,
held since medieval times. Shops surround plaza, with cobblestone paths spiraling out,
offering charming eateries & places to explore. The cathedral also nearby.
Torino - Turin
Lo Scarabeo Tarot Publishing House
Location: Via Cigna 110 - 10155 - Torino
(Private company. Not available for tours without written permission)
National Museum of Cinema
(Fascinating motion picture museum, inside the Mole Antonelliana Tower
Has a Panoramic Lift with fantastic views of entire city!)
Established: September 27, 1958
Address: Via Montebello, 20, Torino
Hours: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm (open till 11 PM Saturdays), closed Tuesdays
Info & ticket office hours: (+39) 011 8138.560 / 561
Varase
Castello di Masnago, Musei civici di Varese ~
Masnago Castle Civic Art Museum in Varese
Fresco of 3 Ladies Playing Tarot in Tiny Boat (from 1443 - 1453) & more by same artist ~ Vices & Virtues...
For info and reservations: 0332.820409 or (+39) 0332 220256
Guided tours available in English by appointment
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10.00 AM - 12:30 PM - 2:30PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Via Cola di Rienzo, 52, 21100, Varese
Tarot Artists & Authors of Italy on Previous Tarot Art Tours
(Alphabetical by last name)
Aste, Andrea:
of the Book of Shadows, an inspired, unique film, deck & book set
Casagrande, Jari:
Poet of Tarocchi Appropriati: and other Museo collaborations
Coletti, Franco:
of Emi in Wonderland
and several lovely tarot works, published in small, handcrafted editions by il Meneghello
Daniloff, Alexander:
Artist and creator of several popular decks
de Saint Phalle, Niki:
of Tarot Garden ~ Giardino dei Tarocchi
(See above: Capalbio for more details)
de Stefani, Adolfina:
performance artist & deck creator
Frazzoni, Mariarita:
of the Tarot of Ferrara
and also the
Magic Bologna ‘Al Top’ Tarot
(Both featured in the Tarot Travel Guide eBook)
Menegazzi, Osvaldo:
Incredible deck publisher & artist of the magical Tarot shop
Il Meneghello
(See above for more info)
Minetti, Riccardo:
Writer for Lo Scarabeo
and their English correspondent
Monaco, Octavia:
Surreal artist, with a new deck in 2021
and illustrations for a new publication of The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran
Monti, Giovanni:
of Tarot of Breath and the Sunrise & Sunset decks
Pelosini, Giovanni:
writer, researcher and founder of
Humanistic Tarologia
Rinaldi, Daniela:
of abstract Goddess deck
Gli Arcani Maggiori
Sorrenti, Carmen:
creator of the evocative, deeply meaningful deck & book set:
Pholarchos Tarot
(published by Arnell Ando in 2018)
Vitali, Andrea:
Tarot historian and founder of
Le Tarot Association
