The Bargello Museum is a museum that in any other city would be one of the main cultural attractions. But in Florence, home of the Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia, it can easily fall into the category of a forgotten monument.

However, a magnificent tribute to local architecture, you can find the museum as you walk along Via del Proconsolo, from the Cathedral to the river Arno.

In its original form, the museum was referred to as the Palace of the people’s Captain or ‘Capitano del Popolo’ and acted as an important part of the city’s fortress.

When you enter the museum, you pass through a courtyard – a typical feature of medieval architecture – with a three-side portico. A staircase on the fourth side acts as a viewing point for the emblems of the Podestà, a sort of mayor, and former resident of the museum.

At the end of the XVI century, Cosimo I, decided the building should be designated to the police, whose chief was called Bargello, and used as a prison for the city. It would later become the primary venue for state-sanctioned executions.

A museum since the XIX century, the Bargello boasts an amazing collection of Renaissance art including:  sculptures crafted by the most important artists of that time such as Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini, Giambologna, Verrocchio, Pollaiolo, Della Robbia.

Which means it’s must-see attraction!

Travel tip: The museum is located in the heart of the city center and near both the Cathedral and Piazza della Signoria. With hardly a queue in sight, you can see a wide collection of works by the masters of the Renaissance without booking. Finally, try not to lose yourself in the aesthetic harmony of Giambologna’s Mercury or the piercing stare of Cellini’s Cosimo’s  – you may risk a server case of Stendhal Syndrome!

 
Opening Hours:
Daily: 8.15 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
(closed on 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, New Year’s Day, May 1st and Christmas Day)

The ticket office closes at 4.20 p.m.

Tickets:
Full Price ticket: € 4,00
Reduced ticket: € 2,00