Don’t know the Bardini Museum in Florence? You’re not alone! One of the lesser known museums in Florence, it is often overshadowed by larger neighboring monuments but it is still well worth visiting. Located in the Oltrano quarter, close to the bridge Ponte alle Grazie, it’s now open to the public after several years of restoration works.
The museum was born from the genius and refined taste of Florentine antique dealer, Stefano Bardini, who at the end of the XIX century bought the convent of San Gregorio alla Pace and transformed it into a showroom. Bardini used a mix of materials coming from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance that he collected during his journeys to create his masterpiece and the result is an incredible palace that today hosts the museum.
The palace itself is worth visiting because of its creative structure, made of thematic rooms on several floors, arches and ancient glass walls, staircases, gates and gables. On the walls, the dominant color is a deep blue, which affords a sense of noblesse and elegance, and also happens to be a color that Bardini loved. In fact it is called “Bardini’s blue”.
The museum’s heritage items are even better: inside it you’ll be able to admire an eclectic and fascinating collection of paintings (Pollaiolo, Guercino, Tiepolo), sculptures (Arnolfo di Cambio, Donatello, Giambologna) and applied arts. Bardini collected all these artworks and thanks to his eye for business and his deep knowledge of the history of art and he left his legacy to the city of Florence.
Among the rooms, you will be surprised by some original sculptures whose famous and wonderful copies are spread in the streets and squares of the city. For example the so called Porcellino Fountain…
Travel tip: When you get out of the museum, why not take a break at the nearby High Bar? Located within walking distance of the museum, it’s a peaceful and relaxing café where you can have a snack in the pretty interior courtyard far away from the crowds.
Opening Hours:
Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday : 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 15 August, Christmas Day
Tickets:
Full price € 6,00
Reducedprice € 4,50 (age 18-25 and over 65, university students)