Florence Attractions

Venue: Bargello Museum    When: Daily

The Museo Nazionale del Bargello houses an internationally important collection of sculpture, textiles, armour and other decorative arts, drawing on the whole of Florence's modern history and dating back to the beginnings of the Florentine Renaissance.

The most famous piece in the museum is Donatello's bronze David. The museum also prides itself on its highly representative selection of sculptural art from the Florentine Renaissance and the 16th century. Among the former are important works by Donatello and the Della Robbia family. Pieces by Michelangelo, Cellini and Gianbologna are also included.

The collections of textiles and decorative arts are also impressive, as they incorporate three extensive late-19th century private collections: the Carrand (Renaissance and Gothic material culture, including medallions, mirrors and textiles), Ressman (arms and armour) and Franchetti (textiles) collections. A number of private donations have raised the profile of the museum to international levels and equipped it with a significant number of valuable and interesting historical artefacts.

The museum was opened in 1859, when the collection of sculpture and visual art was transferred from the Uffizi galleries. In 1865 it was declared a national museum and in the next couple of decades it managed to acquire several important collections of textiles and armour. The building itself is the oldest surviving seat of government in the city. It dates from 1255, when it was known as the Palazzo del Popolo. It was initially the residence of the Captain of the People, the elected supreme government officer, who was in charge for a year. Over the years it became the seat of a series of different public officials. It derives its present name from the 16th century, when it was the residence of the Bargello, the Captain of the Justice in charge of mantaining law and order in the city.

Please visit the museum's website for details of opening days, as they can vary.