 Introduction
History
The Bargello palace was built to house first the Capitano del Popolo and later, in 1261, the Podesta, the highest magistrate of the Florence City Council. Afterwards in 1574, the Medici dispensed with the function of the Podesta and housed the bargello, the police chief of Florence, in this building, hence its name. Throughout the eighteenth century it functioned as a prison; executions took place in the Bargello's yard until they were abolished by Grand Duke Peter Leopold in 1786. It remained the headquarters of the Florentine police till 1865. In 1865 Italy's first national museum (outside the Vatican) was installed in the palace.
The original two-story structure was built alongside the Volognana Tower in 1256. The third story, which can be identified by the smaller blocks used to construct it, was added after the fire of 1323. The building is designed around an open courtyard with an external staircase leading to the second floor. An open well is found in the center of the courtyard.
Location
Transit: Bus: Bus service from Santa Maria Novella Station, 14, 23, A.
From the station about 10 minutes through the town centre.
Ground Floor
Michelangelo Room
Donatello Room
Andrea Robbia Room
Giovanni della Robbia
Coin Collection
Loggia
Useful information
E-mail: museobargello@polomuseale.firenze.it
Open: Monday to Sunday 8,15-13,50
Closed 1th, 3rd and 5th Sunday and 2nd , 4th Monday of each month; New Year's Day, May 1st, Christmas Day
Disabled: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
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