Vincenzo Florio Museum in Cerda

A Cerda, a true fan of Targo Florio, had the idea of ​​setting up a museum exclusively dedicated to this mythical race that has fascinated many lovers of car racing.

The Vincenzo Florio Museum is open on public holidays as well as on Saturdays and Sundays.

History of the Vincenzo Florio Museum in Cerda

Based in Cerda, in the spaces once occupied by the former Aurium motel which at the time were available as an Alfa Romeo garage, a museum dedicated to the Targa Florio was born in July 1999. The idea, realization and management is the work of a true enthusiast of this competition, Antonino Catanzaro and testifies to the importance and impact that this race has produced on the territory.

The Vincenzo Florio Museum was initially inaugurated as a location where it was possible to give space to a permanent exhibition photographic exhibition dedicated to the Targa Florio on the occasion of an event which saw, as the theme of the event, a classic car rally.

It will be in 2000 that the Museum will implement its contents hitherto limited only to the photographic exhibition with the addition of various original memorabilia, so much so that the media of the time classified the Vincenzo Florio Museum as the Targa Florio Museum.

What to see at the Vincenzo Florio Museum in Cerda

In the small museum that has taken place where the headquarters of the Alfa Romeo racing team, it is possible to see a significant collection of vintage photos all relating to the various editions of the Targa Florio as well as various trophies. There are also brochures, books, newspapers, catalogues, automobilia, registers and overalls used by some of the drivers in this competition.

The objects patiently collected by the creator of the Vincenzo Florio Museum are implemented by colored models made by craftsmen who have reproduced the most famous scenes of some Targa Florio races such as, for example, the famous toccata on the high sidewalks of Collesano by the Ferrari P4 of the Vaccarella driver which made him lose the victory in the 1967 edition.

At the Vincenzo Florio Museum it is also possible to see the Targa of the 1926 race which was the only one to have been delivered by Florio to a car manufacturer: Bugatti which in that edition acquired the first three positions of the race.
There are also some 1:43 scale car models and memorabilia that were owned by the Florio family.

Also interesting are the overalls and helmet used by Baron Pucci on the occasion of his victory in the 48th edition of the race.

The museum is curated with passion and competence by Antonino Catanzaro and created with the significant help of Dr. Calogero Romano, president of the association.

What you can do around the Vincenzo Florio Museum in Cerda

The territory of Cerda, on the edge of the Madonie is part of a context in a suggestive landscape inhabited since ancient times.

This is evidenced by a fortified settlement located at the base of Cozzo Rasocollo as well as the rural village of Villaurea where the remains of theBenedictine abbey dedicated to Santa Maria of Burgitabis built during the Norman period.

To visit, however, is the Oriented Nature Reserve of Favara and Bosco Granza.

For those who do not want to spend hours immersed in nature, it could reach the small one church dedicated to the Madonna della Catena from the nineteenth century which has always been well known by the faithful or the Mother Church present in the historic center of Cerda.

How to get to the Vincenzo Florio Museum in Cerda

By car: from Palermo take the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway, exiting at the Agglomerato Industriale (Termini Imerese) tollbooth and continue on State Road 113 following signs for Cerda continuing on State Road 120.