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Via Maggio is Florence's antiques street, running 400m through Oltrarno from Ponte Santa Trinita south to Piazza San Felice, lined with 30+ antique dealers specializing in 17th-19th century furniture, paintings, prints, antique jewelry, and decorative arts. Non-EU shoppers validate VAT refund forms at OTELLO kiosks at Florence (FLR) airport before flying out.
Via Maggio concentrates antique street with high-end shops in Florence. Best for antiques, luxury fashion, with typical VAT-refund savings of €200-800 per shopper.
Florence's antiques district: 30+ dealers specializing in 17th-19th century furniture, paintings, prints, antique jewelry
Indie design, contemporary art galleries, additional antique workshops
Niche antique and curio dealers, frame shops, restoration studios
Most Via Maggio dealers are family operations with multi-decade tenure; serious purchases benefit from advance contact
Antiques classified as cultural heritage need export licenses from the Soprintendenza; ask the dealer about export documentation
Most shops 9:30am-12:30pm, 3:30pm-7pm Tuesday-Saturday; Monday morning often closed
Italy's €70.01 minimum is trivial on antiques; most pieces start €500+
Closest tram: Stazione SMN on Tram T1, then 12 minutes' walk south across Ponte Santa Trinita
Antiques: 17th-19th century Italian furniture, oil paintings, prints, antique jewelry, silver, ceramics, sculptures, tapestries, decorative arts. The 30+ dealers specialize narrowly; some focus on Tuscan Renaissance pieces, others on Empire furniture or 19th-century decorative arts.
Sometimes, on individual pieces. Established dealers have firmer pricing for verified provenance items. Cash offers and quick-decision negotiations may unlock 5-10% discounts. For high-value pieces (above €5,000), discreet negotiation is more common than at lower price points.
Items under 70 years old export freely. Items 70+ years old or classified as 'cultural goods' require an export license from the Soprintendenza Belle Arti, processed through the dealer (typically 30-60 days). Confirm export status before purchase. The dealer handles paperwork for VAT-refund eligible buyers.
Italy charges 22% VAT on antiques sold by registered dealers. Net refund after operator fees: 13-15%. The dealer issues OTELLO at checkout with passport. For shipped items the export license must be coordinated. Validate the form at FLR airport on departure for refund 1-3 weeks later.
Ponte Santa Trinita (north entry, 1 min), Pitti Palace (2 min east), Boboli Gardens (5 min east), Piazza Santo Spirito (3 min west), Ponte Vecchio (5 min north). Via Maggio runs through the heart of Oltrarno; the Pitti and Boboli combine naturally with antiquing.
Get up to 22% VAT back shopping Bellariva in Florence. Riverside area with local shops. OTELLO validation at Florence FLR.
BoboliGet up to 22% VAT back shopping Boboli in Florence. Garden area with upscale boutiques. OTELLO validation at Florence FLR.
Campo di MarteGet up to 22% VAT back shopping Campo di Marte in Florence. Residential area with local shopping. OTELLO validation at Florence FLR.
CascineGet up to 22% VAT back shopping Cascine in Florence. Park area with market and shops. OTELLO validation at Florence FLR.
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