Paintings from the Uffizi have been loaned to museums in five villages in Tuscany – San Godenzo, Poppi, Montespertoli, Castiglion Fiorentino and Anghiari.
The latter was the scene of a famous battle in 1440 between the armies of Florence and Milan.
It is the first stage of an initiative that will eventually lead to hundreds of artworks being loaned to dozens of locations.
Two of the five coming exhibitions relate to Dante – Italy is this year commemorating the 700th anniversary of his death.
The village of San Godenzo has been loaned a large portrait of Dante that was painted in the 15th century by a Renaissance artist, Andrea del Castagno.