Bargello National Museum
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Latest page update: 5 December 2024
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By Dion Protani
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The Bargello National Museum is situated in the centre of Florence and renowned for its collection of Renaissance sculpture. Among the artists whose work is on display across the three floors of the museum are Michelangelo, Donatello and Ghiberti.
Although it's now a museum, the Palazzo del Bargello was originally constructed as an administrative facility. |
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The Bargello's extraordinary history
Since its construction in the 13th century, the Bargello has been used as law court, a prison and as the headquarters of the city's podestà, the keeper of the peace. Its famous courtyard has been the venue for executions and its intricate web of rooms for torture throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. Capital punishment was banned in 1786 and the prison eventually closed in 1859.
Established in 1865, the Bargello National Museum now houses one of the finest collections of sculpture in the world, along with a variety of exhibits from the decorative arts such as tapestries and ceramics.
Since its construction in the 13th century, the Bargello has been used as law court, a prison and as the headquarters of the city's podestà, the keeper of the peace. Its famous courtyard has been the venue for executions and its intricate web of rooms for torture throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. Capital punishment was banned in 1786 and the prison eventually closed in 1859.
Established in 1865, the Bargello National Museum now houses one of the finest collections of sculpture in the world, along with a variety of exhibits from the decorative arts such as tapestries and ceramics.
Florence Tours
Michelangelo's numerous works in the museum draw most of the crowds but arguably its most famous exhibit is Donatello's David which he finished in 1440. This is not to be confused with the Statue of David at the Galleria dell'Accademia which is a ten minute walk north of the Bargello.
The story of David slaying Goliath holds a special place in the hearts of Florentines and it has been held up as an inspiration in their constant fight against oppression and as a symbol of their Republican ideals. The Bargello displays another statue of David on its second floor, this one by Verrocchio which he finished in 1475. In addition to the three David statues mentioned above, a fourth such work takes pride of place in the Piazza della Signoria, just outside the Palazzo Vecchio; this one however is a copy of Michelangelo's original.
The story of David slaying Goliath holds a special place in the hearts of Florentines and it has been held up as an inspiration in their constant fight against oppression and as a symbol of their Republican ideals. The Bargello displays another statue of David on its second floor, this one by Verrocchio which he finished in 1475. In addition to the three David statues mentioned above, a fourth such work takes pride of place in the Piazza della Signoria, just outside the Palazzo Vecchio; this one however is a copy of Michelangelo's original.
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City: Florence
Province: Metropolitan City of Florence Region: Tuscany Established: 1865 Architectural style: Italian Gothic Walking distance from Piazza del Duomo: 5 minutes Recommended accommodation: Hotel Spadai |
