The Bargello’s severe building has had many functions over the centuries: from Palazzo del Podestà to prison and finally to its modern role as a museum of sculpture and of the minor arts.
It was built at the end of the XIII century for the Capitano del Popolo, one of the higher offices of the Florentine Republic and passed after to the Podestà and, even later, to the Bargello, the capitain of the city militia, from whom it takes its name: Palazzo del Bargello. As well as serving as a prison, for many centuries executions took place here.
The Bargello is Florence’s Medieval palace par excellence: austere on the outside and highly decorated inside. During this guided tour we will see more than just sculpture. The Bargello National Museum has in its collection many samples of the minor arts as well as armory, coins and even examples of Islamic art. But its main collection – one of the largest of the world – is of Renaissance sculpture.
Among the great works housed here we can find sculptures by Donatello, Michelangelo, Della Robbia, Benvenuto Cellini, Giambologna, Ammannati and many others.
At the Bargello we will aso admire three different Davids, by two of the most important artisits of the Early Renaissance – Donatello and Verrocchio, as well as four of Michelangelo‘s early works, among them his Bacchus.
There is also in the collection the original of Donatello‘s famous St. George, a copy of which adorns the exterior of Orsanmichele, the Florentine church for which it was sculpted in the XV century.
Bargello National Museum, external view
Some useful tips:
- Tickets: usually it is not necessary to book the tickets in advance, although it’s reccomendable during the high season.
- Length of this guided tour: from 2 to 4 hours, on request. Price: from € 120 to 210, depending on the length and the size of the group. Standard guided tour is considered of half-day – till 3 hours, the rate is €165.00
- Full-day guided tour (till 6 hours): it is possible to combine the guided visit to the Bargello with a city centre walking tour and / or visits to other famous Florentine monuments. Contact me, and we will create the complete programme for your visit.
Or see other guided tours I offer:
