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Museo Nazionale del Bargello
The museum
The ancient Palazzo del Podestà in Florence now houses the Bargello National Museum. Devoted mainly to sculpture, it is part of the ‘Bargello Museums’ together with the Medici Chapels, Orsanmichele, Palazzo Davanzati and Casa Martelli.
With the Royal Decree of 22 June 1865, the Bargello Museum became the first National Museum in Italy dedicated to medieval and Renaissance art. Its collection of statues is among the most remarkable in the world and includes masterpieces by Donatello, Luca della Robbia, Andrea del Verrocchio, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Benvenuto Cellini and many others.
Originally its collection came from the Medici, but other materials have flowed in through donations, private loans and the suppression of monastic orders following the Unification of Italy.
The collection
The Museum is spread over three floors: on the ground floor, there is the courtyard and the Michelangelo Room with sculptures by Buonarroti, Cellini, Giambologna and Ammannati. The first floor, on the other hand, opens with the imposing Sala di Donatello, followed by Luca della Robbia’s majolica sculptures, Ghiberti’s and Brunelleschi’s bronze panels, the Islamic art collections, the ancient Chapel frescoed by Giotto and other rooms. On the top floor are the collections of Andrea and Giovanni della Robbia, the Sala dei Bronzetti, the Sala di Verrocchio, the Sala del Medagliere, and the Sala dell’Armeria where objects from the ancient Medici armoury are displayed.
The artworks
- Marzocco, 1418 – 1420, Donatello (1386-1466)
- David, ca. 1440, Donatello (1386-1466)
- Madonna with Child (“Madonna of the Apple”), 1441 -1445, Luca della Robbia (1400-1482)
- David, 1466 -1469 ca., Verrocchio (Andrea di Cione) (1435-1488)
- Bacchus, 1496 -1497, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)
- Flying Mercury, 1578 – ca.1580, Giambologna (1529-1608)
The artists
- Donatello (1386-1466)
- Luca della Robbia (1400-1482)
- Verrocchio (Andrea di Cione) (1435-1488)
- Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)
- Giambologna (1529-1608)
Photo: Court of Bargello National Museum, Florence
Scheduled theater shows
Theatre and Music in the Bargello Museums
From June to October 2024, the Bargello Museums will host a programme of theatrical and musical events curated by La Compagnia delle Seggiole and Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina.
30 events of music and theatre in the halls of our museums, for a truly unprecedented museum experience: actors and musicians will perform during normal opening hours, giving life to scenic actions or musical interludes that can be enjoyed freely and free of charge by visitors in possession of a regular admission ticket.
Download the flyer with the complete programme.
30 events all to be enjoyed with UAM PASS, the annual ticket that grants unlimited admission to the Bargello Museums (see below).
N.B.: on some dates there will be more “traditional” concerts and theatrical performances, with seating in the courtyard of the Bargello National Museum, which will be opened extraordinarily at night with free admission until all available seats have been used up.
Information
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays; first, third and fifth Sundays of the month from 08:15 am to 01:50 pm.
Saturdays from 08:15 am to 06:50 pm.
Tuesday; Second and fourth Sundays of the month.
1-2 hours
Books and guides
Merchandise
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Average visit time:
1-2 hours