Bargello Museum: sculptures, history and…jazz music!
2014
Did you know that the most remarkable collection of Renaissance sculptures and works of art, some of which by Michelangelo and Donatello, is hosted in a wonderful building which once was a prison??
That building is the Bargello and you really have to visit it!
Bargello Panoramic View
The construction of the palace dates 1255 and was built to house first the “Capitano del Popolo” and then the “ Podestà”, the chief magistrate of Florence City Council.
During the Medici government, the Podestà was substituted by the “Bargello”, the police chief of the city who had to ensure peace and avoid riots and injustices, hence the actual name of the building.
The palace became the city prison and, until the 1786 when the death penalty was abolished, many executions took place in the building’s internal courtyard.
Bargello internal courtyard
The actual Bargello function began in 1859, when the new Governor of Tuscany decided to convert it from a jail into a Museum, which soon became one of the most important collection of Renaissance sculptures existing.
Bargello Sculptures
Inside the Bargello Museum you are able to admire absolute masterpieces as the David by Donatello, the Tondo Pitti by Michelangelo and wonderful works of art by the Giambologna and Benvenuto Cellini.
Tondo Pitti by Michelangelo
The Museum hosts furthermore, marvelous and unique collections of bronzes, medals, ivories, majolica and textiles from the Medici collections and many jazz and music events are organized in this fascinating location.