Florence  (Tuscany): pop. 493,000 [ MAP ] 

Bargello National Museum
Via del Proconsolo, 4 - Florence

The Museum has a remarkable collection works of art,  sculpture and works of art, sculpture, textiles, armor and other decorative drawing on the whole of Florence's modern history, dating back to the beginnings of the Florentine Renaissance. It occupies an impressive building. Since 1865 the palazzo houses the National Museum.

Bargello Museum is the quintessential Florentine museum for sculpture lovers. It is located close to Piazza della Signoria. The magnificent palazzo, three stories high with a beautiful courtyard and a tower, houses many art works. The major artists whose works are on display here include Donatello, Brunelleschi, Della Robbia brothers, Andrea and Giovanni, Michelangelo, Cellini and many more. The Museum also preserves a huge collection of Renaissance jewelry, enamels and ivories, Venetian glass, Islamic bronzes and wooden sculptures.

Must see:

• The splendid inner courtyard, still preserving its mediaeval feature. Arches, creating majestic porticos, rest on huge octagonal pillars.
• Iron gate attributed to Giuliano da Sangallo
• Majolica Room: large collection of majolica from Urbino, Siena, Orvieto and Florence.
• Ivory Room and its Carrand collection, 265 pieces that may be dated between V and XVII century a.D.: diptychs, ceramic tiles, holy cases.
• Cappella of Maria Maddalena and its Sacristy with Giotto's school paintings on the walls
• The huge Hall of Donatello housing a large number of works by this great Florentine sculptor, such as the marble Youthful David, the St. George.
• "Tondo Pitti" and "Baccus" by Michelangelo
• The terracotta bust of Niccolò da Uzzano.
• The St. John as a boy from the Casa Martelli.
• The Marzocco, the symbolic lion of Florence (1420),
• The bronze Athys or faun.
• The bronze "David" (1430 ca.), the first nude of the Renaissance, made for Cosimo the Elder and brought here from Palazzo Medici.
• Several sculptures by Desiderio da Settignano, Michelozzo and Verrocchio and glazed ceramics by Luca della Robbia. 
• Several bronze works  by Giambologna (like the 'Mercury')
• Bust of Cosimo I by Benvenuto Cellini
• Busto di fanciullo (Baby's bust)" by Andrea della Robbia.
• Sala delle Armi containing fascinating medieval ivories, armory and weapons.
• Islamic room: oriental carpets and examples of damascened bronzes.
  
  Not too far away from the Bargello is Dante's House, a small museum that examines the famous Florentine's life.