Museo Nazionale del Bargello
Museo Nazionale del Bargello
The Museo Nazionale del Bargello is housed in the oldest public building in Florence, and today showcases the most important collection in the world of Italian Renaissance sculpture. Not to be missed are the masterpieces by great artists such as Donatello, Verrocchio, the Della Robbias, Michelangelo, Giambologna and Cellini.
The palace, founded in 1255, is a monument of great fascination: built to serve as the first public building in medieval Florence, it was soon destined as the seat of the Podestà, the chief city magistrates whose many coats of arms are still set in the walls of the courtyard. Starting from the second half of the 1500s, the building became the seat of the “Bargello”, i.e. the head of the city police, and was used as a prison for the following centuries.
After a complete restoration, it was opened in 1865 as the first National Museum of the then newborn Kingdom of Italy, dedicated to the arts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The rich and varied collections gathered here since that date, are today the pride of the Bargello Museum: built around a great series of masterpieces created by the major sculptors of the Florentine Renaissance, the museum collections display a wide variety of artistic genres, including hundreds of weapons, seals, fabrics, waxes, enamels, paintings, ivories, majolica and much more. Many of these masterpieces are unique in the world also for their history, as is the case of the Flabellum of Tournus, dating back to 9th century, or as with all the bronze or marble sculptures that belonged to the Medici family, who keenly treasured them in their art collections from the times of Lorenzo the Magnificent to the last grand dukes of the Medici dynasty.
Opening hours
Special openings
Closing days
Tuesday
II and IV Sunday of the month
25 December 2024
Closed for Christmas holidays
Last entrance is 50 minutes before closing time.
Accessibility and Public Services
Accessibility
The museum is equipped with facilities for disabled access. The pavement is seamlessly connected to the street level. The use of scooters and electric wheelchairs is limited and evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure the safety of museum spaces and artworks. The museum’s rooms are accessible, except for the Chapel and the Sacristy; any elevation differences can be overcome with ramps (staff assistance is available) and an elevator. Some thresholds have slight elevation. Access to the Michelangelo Hall is through the bookshop, and the exit is through the same entrance. Adequate restroom facilities are available on the second floor.
Paths for Visually Impaired and Blind Visitors
Visually impaired visitors interested in exploring the Museo Nazionale del Bargello can contact the Educational Services to receive necessary guidance on the planned route within the museum, with the possibility of arranging a specific date for their visit:
Tel. 055 0649444 (Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM)
Email: mn-bar.didattica@cultura.gov.it
To touch selected sculptures and appreciate their volumes, the use of a pair of gloves, available at the museum’s ticket office, is required. Additionally, a tactile path diagram for non-sighted and visually impaired visitors is available for consultation at the ticket office.
Cloakroom
The cloakroom is located in front of the ticket office. Visitors are required to deposit umbrellas, large backpacks, and bulky bags. Oversized luggage, suitcases, and excessively large backpacks are not allowed. The service is complimentary.
Bookshop
The bookshop is located at the museum’s entrance. Museum guides in various languages, art publications, and items inspired by the exhibited works are available for purchase.
Groups
Groups are allowed up to a maximum of 20 individuals, plus one guide.
Changing table
There is a changing table near the toilets