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Stop 4 · Collesano in 15 Stops

04 SIGHTS

Targa Florio Museum

Targa Florio Museum

The Targa Florio Museum keeps alive the story of the legendary Sicilian road race created by Vincenzo Florio and first run on 6 May 1906. The race crossed the Madonie on public mountain roads, descending from the hills toward the sea and climbing back again through villages, hairpins and changing weather. Opened in Collesano on 27 June 2004, the museum is unique in its kind: it gathers photographs, unpublished documentaries, race objects, trophies, documents, newspapers, books, classifications, drivers' suits, helmets and parts of historic cars. Together they tell the human side of the race as much as the technical one. Collesano was not just a place on the route. It stood at the crossroads of the Grande, Medio and Piccolo circuits of the Madonie, and developed a deep emotional bond with the drivers. During practice, many stopped here; the town still remembers names such as Nino Vaccarella, Lorenzo Bandini, Stirling Moss, Vic Elford, Brian Redman, von Trips, Baghetti, Giunti and Maglioli. Look for the ceramic plaques around town dedicated to different editions of the Targa Florio. They show how the race became part of Collesano's street memory, not only a museum story.

NoteMay be closed. Check before visiting.

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Corso Vittorio Emanuele 3, 90016 Collesano PA
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History & background

A deeper look — only on this page.

At a glance

Type
Museum
Opened
27 June 2004
Subject
Targa Florio (1906–1977)
Founder
Giacinto Gargano (now dir. Michele Gargano)
Setting
Former Dominican convent (with the Town Hall)

Highlights

  • Inaugurated 27 June 2004 by the Club Piloti della Targa Florio.
  • Photographs, race suits, helmets, trophies and posters spanning the 1906–1977 era plus current Targa Florio Rally material.
  • The 1906 inaugural race ran 3 laps of a 148 km Madonie circuit; won by Alessandro Cagno in just over 9 hours.
  • Housed in the former Dominican convent — same building as the Palazzo Municipale (Stop 5).
  • 2026 marks the 120th anniversary of the inaugural race.

Timeline

  • 1883Vincenzo Florio is born in Palermo, heir of the Florio dynasty (Marsala wine, tuna, shipping).
  • 6 May 1906First Targa Florio — three laps of the 148-km Grande Circuito delle Madonie, won by Alessandro Cagno (Itala) in 9h 32′.
  • 1913Florio founds the Automobile Club di Sicilia, which he long presides.
  • 1919–1930The race runs on the 108-km Medio Circuito delle Madonie.
  • 1932–36, 1951–77The 72-km Piccolo Circuito delle Madonie is used — the loop that passes through Collesano.
  • 1955–1973The Targa Florio counts toward the World Sportscar Championship.
  • 197761st and final speed edition after a fatal crash; from 1978 the event continues as a rally.
  • 2004The museum opens, founded by Collesano historian Giacinto Gargano.

People & families

  • Vincenzo Florio (1883–1959) — heir of the Florio dynasty of Palermo; created the race in 1906 and founded the Automobile Club di Sicilia. He had no children.
  • Nino Vaccarella (1933–2021) — Palermo schoolmaster nicknamed “il Preside Volante” (the Flying Headmaster); won in 1965, 1971 and 1975, a Collesano idol.
  • Maria Teresa de Filippis (1926–2016) — Italy’s first woman Grand Prix driver; her racing material is among the holdings.
  • Giacinto Gargano — Collesano historian who founded the museum; today directed by his son Michele Gargano.

Stories & traditions

  • Collesano was a sharp village turn on the Piccolo circuit; locals joked with a “Vaccarella attento” (watch out, Vaccarella) sign at the bend where their champion once crashed greeting the crowd.
  • The collection gathers trophies, drivers’ suits and helmets (Elford, Giunti, Scarfiotti, Pucci), photographs, documentaries and car parts.
  • Around town, ceramic plaques set into the walls commemorate individual editions of the race — the Targa Florio as street memory, not just a museum.

Visiting

  • HoursSummer 9:30–12:30 & 16:00–19:30 (closed Mon & Thu afternoon) · Winter 9:30–12:30 & 15:00–18:30 (closed Mon afternoon). Hours change weekly — call +39 0921 664684 to confirm.
  • Admission€2 per person · €0.50 residents · €1 over-65 · €1.50 groups (15+)
  • AccessSmall ground-floor exhibition rooms; check stairs at entrance.
  • Websitewww.museotargaflorio.it

Common questions

  • What are the Targa Florio Museum's opening hours?
    In summer it usually opens daily 9:30–12:30 and 16:00–19:30, closed Monday and Thursday afternoons; in winter daily 9:30–12:30 and 15:00–18:30, closed Monday afternoon. Hours change from week to week, so call +39 0921 664684 before you go.
  • How much does it cost to visit?
    Admission is €2 per person, with reductions for residents (€0.50), over-65s (€1) and groups of 15 or more (€1.50).
  • Where is the museum and how do I get there?
    It's at Corso Vittorio Emanuele 3, in Collesano's old town, beside the Town Hall in the former Dominican convent. By car it's about 25 km (around 45 minutes) from Cefalù and roughly 70 km from Palermo.
  • Is this the same as the Targa Florio museum in Termini Imerese?
    No — there are two separate museums. This one, in Collesano, opened in 2004 and sits on the historic Madonie circuit the race actually ran; the larger Museo del Motorismo Siciliano e della Targa Florio is in Termini Imerese.
  • How long does a visit take, and what else is nearby?
    Allow about 30–45 minutes. It pairs naturally with the free self-guided Collesano walk — and look for the ceramic Targa Florio plaques set into walls around the old town, each marking a different edition of the race.

Nearby on the walk

05Municipality Palace08Watchtower of Collesano12Ceramiche Iachetta

Sources

Compiled from public, local and historical sources, June 2026. Spotted an error? Corrections welcome.