Museum
Bargello
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The Bargello, officially the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, is one of Italy's most important sculpture museums. Housed in a formidable medieval building that once served as a prison and police headquarters, the museum's collection focuses on Renaissance sculpture. Highlights include Donatello's bronze 'David' (the first nude statue since antiquity), his 'St. George', and Michelangelo's 'Bacchus' and 'Brutus'. The museum also features works by Cellini, Giambologna, and Della Robbia, as well as a collection of decorative arts like ivories, enamels, and medals. The building itself is worth exploring, with its austere courtyard, grand staircase, and vaulted halls. Unlike the crowded Uffizi, the Bargello offers a more intimate experience, allowing visitors to get close to the sculptures. Its location near the Duomo makes it easy to combine with other sights.
Don't miss
- See Donatello's bronze 'David', a revolutionary work of the Early Renaissance.
- Admire Michelangelo's 'Bacchus', his first large-scale sculpture, and the bust of 'Brutus'.
- View the Della Robbia family's glazed terracotta works, including the 'Madonna and Child'.
- Explore the courtyard with its well and the coat of arms of past officials.
- Check out the collection of Renaissance medals and small bronzes in the upper rooms.
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