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Museo Bargello

Posted in FLORENCE - special Highlights

The Bargello Museum is located in one of the oldest public building of Florence, built in the year 1255. At first it was the headquarter of the Capitano del Popolo (a kind of popular judge) and later it became the seat of the mayor. From the 18 century onwards it was converted into a prison. Inside its walls, in its huge rooms, several important events of historic value took place. For example the important historic meeting of the "Consiglio dei Cento" (Council of the Hundred). One of the “Consiglio dei Cento” members was the famous Dante Alighieri.
Over the centuries, some modifications were made to the original structure to preserve it. Especially the clean lines and the rather strict but harmonious facade was retained. A very special feature of this unique house is the beautiful courtyard and the balcony.
In the 19th Century it was declared a national museum and became the home and show case of many important Renaissance sculptures. Most of them came from the collection of the Granduca of Tuscany.
The large and vast wings of the first floor are dedicated to the master pieces of Donatello (1390-1466) including the young David in marble, the San Giorgio and the David in bronze. In addition to the master's works the museum shows as well pieces of his pupils Desiderio da Settignano (ca. 1430-1460) and Antonio Rossellino (1427-ca. 1480). There are also the panels of L. Ghiberti and F. Brunelleschi submitted for the competition for the gate of the Baptistery.
Besides an overview of the Renaissance sculptures, you will find also the glazed terracotta sculptures made by Luca della Robbia (ca. 1400-1482) including the famous "Madonna col Bambino" (Madonna with Child). In the salon on the ground floor you will see four masterpieces done by Michelangelo (1475-1564) : Bacchus, the relief of the Madonna e il Bambino ", Brutus and David-Apollo. The large bronze statue by Giambologna (1529-1608) shows Mercurio (the God of jugglers and tradespeople). There is much more to see in the spacious halls of the first and second floor. There is a highly valuable collections of decorative art, with pieces from Carrand, Ressman and Franchetti. There you see objects made of ivory from the Roman and Byzantine times, German and French gold work, Islamic works in bronze, jewelry from the Middle Ages, Venetian glass art and many other art treasures. On the second floor there are also glazed terracotta relief made by Andrea and Giovanni Della Robbia, the bronze of David and the "Dama del Mazzolino" by Verrocchio.