 Bargello Museum - Via del Proconsolo, 4 - Florence
The Bargello Museum is part of the museum pole of the Bargello Museums which includes the Bargello Museum, Orsanmichele, Palazzo Davanzati and Casa Martelli.
The history of the Bargello Museum begins with a royal decree on 22 June 1865 which converted the Palazzo del Popolo in Florence into the first Italian National Museum dedicated to the arts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The Bargello Museum Collection was born - like that of the Uffizi - from the Medici Collection, lords of Florence for centuries who through patronage allowed the creation of works signed by the greatest artists of the time such as Michelangelo, Donatello and Cellini.
The Collection of the Bargello Museum sculptural works of the Renaissance. Among the exhibited artists Donatello, Luca della Robbia, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, Cellini, Giambologna.
Tickets available: Bargello skip-the-line ticket.
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Works of art in the various rooms of the Bargello Museum in Florence
The Collection of the Bargello Museum sculptural works of the Renaissance. Among the exhibited artists Donatello, Luca della Robbia, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, Cellini, Giambologna.
The Bargello Museum Collection was born - like that of the Uffizi - from the Medici Collection, lords of Florence for centuries who through patronage allowed the creation of works signed by the greatest artists of the time such as Michelangelo, Donatello and Cellini.
The itinerary welcomes the visitor in the sumptuous entrance courtyard which leads to the Michelangelo Room which also houses sculptures by Cellini, Giambologna and Ammannati.
The first floor houses the Sala di Donatello and his most famous sculptures David, Attis, San Giorgio and the majolica sculptures of Luca della Robbia. Also exhibited are bronze works by Ghiberti and Brunelleschi.
On this floor there is also the Carrand Collection, the Islamic art rooms and the Chapel which preserves the oldest portrait of the poet Dante Alighieri. The Sala degli Ivori, Sala del Trecento, Sala delle Maioliche Italiane also follow one another.
The top floor displays masterpieces by Andrea and Giovanni della Robbia, the Sala dei Bronzetti, the Sala di Verrocchio, the Sala del Medagliere, the Sala dell'Armeria which collects artifacts that belonged to the Medici Armory.
Masterpieces of the Bargello Museum
– Giotto: Stories of Saint Mary of Egypt, Stories of Saint Mary Magdalene, Stories of Saint John the Baptist.
– Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi: Sacrifice of Isaac (1401)
– Donatello: San Giorgio (1418), Marzocco (1420), David (1440), Attis.
– Andrea Della Robbia: Portrait of a girl (1470)
– Verrocchio: David (1470), Lady of Mazzolino (1475)
– Benedetto da Maiano: Bust of Pietro Mellini (1474)
– Francesco Laurana: Portrait of Battista Sforza (1475)
– Michelangelo Buonarroti: Gallino Crucifix (1497), Bacchus (1497), Tondo Pitti (1504), David-Apollo (1530), Portrait of Brutus (1539)
– Jacopo Sansovino: Bacchus (1515)
– Cellini: Apollo and Hyacinth (1548), Perseus (bronze model 1545)
– Giambologna: Ocean, Mercury (1576)
– Ammannati: Giunone and Pavoni |
History of the Bargello Museum in Florence
The history of the Bargello Museum begins with a royal decree on 22 June 1865. It was the first Italian National Museum dedicated to the arts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The history of the Bargello Museum begins with a royal decree on 22 June 1865 which converted the Palazzo del Popolo in Florence into the first Italian National Museum dedicated to the arts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The new museum was intended to house the most important sculptural pieces of the Medici Collections; so immediately masterpieces by Donatello, Luca della Robbia, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, Cellini, Giambologna, Ammannati entered through the main door.
However, the collection was also enriched following the opening through ministerial donations and purchases which brought to the Bargello collections majolica, waxes, bronzes, enamels, medals, tapestries, ivories, seals, textiles. All works from the Medici collections and from the suppression of suppressed convents or from private bequests.
In 1888 Louis Carrand, an antiquarian from Lyon, decided to leave his collection of more than 2,500 sculptures and paintings to the Bargello Museum. |
How to reach the Bargello Museum in Florence
The Bargello Museum is located in the center of Florence, a few steps from Piazza della Signoria..
Arrive by train
From Santa Maria Novella Station you can reach it on foot in about 15 minutes (1400 m).
Arrive by bus
The closest bus stop is the Uffizi Gallery on the C1 line (210 meters from the Gallery). Other bus lines: A, 14 and 23.
Arrive by car
The closest car parks are Garage Palazzo Vecchio, Garage dei Tintori, Garage Lungarno (for a fee). They are located just 400 meters on foot from Bargello Museum. |
Are you coming to Florence? Book your tour in advance and skip the line!