The Catarsini exhibition in Montecatini Terme is one of those low-effort, high-reward art stops that can genuinely upgrade a Tuscany itinerary—especially if you’re already passing through the spa town or want a cultural break from Florence’s greatest-hits circuit. Staged inside the Palazzo Comunale at Mo.C.A. (Montecatini Terme Contemporary Art), this show is free and easy to visit. Keep reading until the end to get all the practical details for visiting the Catarsini exhibition in Montecatini Terme.
Table of Contents
Catarsini exhibition in Montecatini Terme: what you’ll actually see
“Il Novecento di Catarsini. Dalla macchia alla macchina” is a substantial retrospective: 66 works total (47 paintings and 19 graphic works) created between the 1930s and the 1980s. Expect landscapes, marinas and docks, shipyards, portraits, still lifes, and a standout cluster of 11 self-portraits that helps you “meet” the artist before you follow him through the rest of his visual world.
Two pieces are a bonus for anyone who likes the feeling of discovering something slightly off the beaten path: the show includes two works rarely shown to the public, including Veliero all’ormeggio (1958) and a small self-portrait with sunglasses dated to the 1955–1960 period.
If you’re wondering who Alfredo Catarsini was: he was a Viareggio-born artist (1899–1993) who crossed the entire “short 20th century,” moving through different phases and experiments. The Montecatini show highlights, among other themes, his later exploration of the tension between nature, humans, and machines—presented through works with mechanical imagery and complex “gear-like” forms that still feel relevant today.
Why it works so well as a travel stop
Mo.C.A. is not a huge museum that demands a full day and perfect planning. It’s set on the ground floor of Montecatini’s City Hall, so it fits naturally into a relaxed itinerary: arrive, see the show, then step back out into the town for a café break or a classic Montecatini stroll.
And while you’re there, take a moment to look around the Palazzo Comunale itself: the building was decorated in 1918 with mural tempera paintings by Florentine artist Galileo Chini—one more reason this stop feels like a two-in-one cultural visit.
It also helps that the exhibition is running long enough to be realistic for travelers who plan late or change routes mid-trip: it’s scheduled through February 15, 2026.
Looking for more ideas for your time in Tuscany? Download the GetYourGuide app and get 5% off any activity in the city or worldwide with the promo code BRASILNAITALIANET5. Valid for new customers only (read how it works here).
A rare detail: the show was designed to be accessible
This is the part that makes the Montecatini stop feel unusually thoughtful. The entire exhibition is included in the foundation’s multi-year project “L’Arte accessibile per tutti” (Art accessible to everyone), with a setup created so that visitors with visual impairments can explore the route independently and at their own pace.
Practically, that includes audio descriptions in Italian and English, accessed via QR codes on your smartphone, plus an “experiential lab” approach that allows interaction through touch and hearing while still protecting the artworks.
If you’re in town on the event dates, treat the talks as a bonus
The conference on Saturday, January 17, 2026 (4:00 PM) brings two major names to Montecatini for the first time: Cristina Acidini (President of the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence) and Stefano Casciu (Director of the National Museums of Tuscany). It’s scheduled as a talk followed by a guided visit to the exhibition.
There’s also another talk on Saturday, January 31, 2026 (4:00 PM), again followed by a guided visit, focused on the foundation’s newer accessibility proposals.
Visiting hours and practical details
Mo.C.A. lists these opening hours for the exhibition period: Tuesday–Friday 10:00 AM–12:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday 10:30 AM–12:30 PM and 3:30 PM–6:30 PM; closed Mondays. Free entry.
Read also: Renting a Car in Florence – The 2026 Complete Guide
Date: November 15, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Location: Mo.C.A. (Montecatini Terme Contemporary Art), Montecatini Terme
Address: Viale Giuseppe Verdi 46, 51016 Montecatini Terme (PT), Italy
Tickets: Free admission
If you enjoyed this article, you can support my work with a coffee here ☕
Another way to support Tuscany.Tips is by booking with one of our trusted partners below — at no extra cost to you.
FIND YOUR NEXT STAY
Book your stay in Italy or anywhere in the world with our partner Booking.com!
You'll find the best deals and support our website. Thank you!
BOOK TRANSFERS AND TOURS ONLINE
Book transfers, tours, and excursions in Italy and around the world with our partner Get Your Guide.
NEED DATA IN ITALY?
Get 5% off your Holafly eSIM with code TIPS—fast, easy, and reliable!
