Bargello Museum (Museo Nazionale del Bargello)

The Basics

Palazzo del Podestà, Florence’s oldest public building, served as a barracks and prison before becoming the National Museum of the Bargello in 1865. Today, the art museum is home to an extensive collection of Renaissance works displayed in a series of vast apartments, including gold, armor, bronze animals made for the Medici family gardens as well as tapestries. The centerpiece of the Bargello collection, however, is the statuary that dates from the 14th to 16th centuries.

This is one of the most popular art collections in Florence; avoid a long wait by booking skip-the-line tickets ahead. Many Renaissance Florence walking tours include a stop at the Bargello; there’s a lot of art and history to take in, though, so consider reserving a private tour with an expert guide.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Highlights include bronze relief panels created by Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello'sDavid andSt. George Tabernacle, Michelangelo'sPitti Tondo, and Sansovino'sBacchus.

• In the Bargello Chapel, don't miss the one of the oldest portraits of the poet Dante Alighieri, part of a fresco fragment attributed to Giotto.

• The Bargello Museum is wheelchair accessible.

• Large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas must be left at the free coat check.

How to Get There

The Bargello Museum is located on Via del Proconsolo; it’s a 10-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella train station.

When to Get There

The Bargello Museum is free the first Sunday of the month, so those days are especially crowded. The museum is closed on alternating Sundays and Mondays; to avoid confusion, visit Tuesday through Saturday.

Palazzo della Podestà

With its fortified and crenellated facade, maze-like interior with fine halls, balconies, and loggia overlooking a courtyard, this austere, fortress-like building was the inspiration for Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

Ways to explore

From Michelangelo’s Tondo Pitti to Donatello’s bronze rendition of David, the sculptures inside the Bargello Museum provide a snapshot of Florence at its artistic height. To learn more about these artworks’ role in the Renaissance—and for skip-the-line entry to the popular museum—book a private or small-group Bargello tour.

Florence walking and golf cart tours often pass by the Bargello Museum to highlight its 13th-century architecture. If you’re a medieval history buff, visit with a combination ticket for the other four Bargello sites, such as Palazzo Davanzati, one of the city’s best preserved houses from the Middle Ages.

Accessibility

The Bargello Museum is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators to the upper floors. Manual wheelchairs are preferred over electric options due to the fragile nature of the artwork.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water, camera, headphones for audio guides

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes for exploring the multilevel museum on foot

Not allowed

Backpacks and large bags, umbrellas

Amenities

Bookshop, restrooms, cloakroom, guided tours

Address

The museum is on Via del Proconsolo, a short walk from the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. It’s easy to reach on foot from most attractions in the historic center, but you can also get there by cab or bus.

Driving

Unless you have a special permit that allows you to drive through Florence’s Limited Traffic Zones, it is best to take one of the city’s widely available taxis to the museum.

Public transportation

The C2 bus runs past many points of interest in Florence, including the Santa Maria Novella train station, and stops right outside the Bargello Museum at Ghibellina Bargello.

Best times to visit

Most visitors go to the Bargello Museum at midday, so head there in the early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the galleries to yourself.

Best days to visit

There are free tours on Saturdays, while admission is free on the first Sunday of the month. It’s closed on Tuesdays and the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

Best months to visit

The Bargello Museum is a year-round attraction, but it’s especially nice in the less touristy months of November–March, when the palace makes a lovely shelter from Florence’s occasional rainstorms.