Museo nazionale del Bargello
The national museum of sculpture in the medieval Palazzo del Podestà, with works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Verrocchio, Giambologna and Cellini.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Palazzo del Bargello was founded in 1255 as the first public building of medieval Florence, and it was the seat of the Podestà, the magistrate who administered justice. In the second half of the 16th century it became a prison and took its name from the Bargello, the head of the city police.
After Italian unification, in 1865, the palace opened as the first national museum of the Kingdom of Italy, dedicated to medieval and Renaissance art. Its collection consists mainly of sculptures, but also includes majolica, ivories, small bronzes, weapons and decorative arts.
The museum is known for the Salone di Donatello, with Donatello’s bronze David, the San Giorgio, the marble David and the Marzocco, and for the Sala di Michelangelo, with the Bacchus, the Apollo/David and the Brutus. There are also works by Verrocchio, the Della Robbia, Giambologna and Benvenuto Cellini, as well as the Flabellum di Tournus. Today it is part of the Musei del Bargello system.
Highlights
- Donatello’s bronze David
- Michelangelo’s Bacchus, Apollo/David and Brutus
- Glazed terracottas by the Della Robbia
- Sculptures by Verrocchio, Giambologna and Cellini
- Medieval courtyard of the Palazzo del Podestà
Permanent exhibition
- Sculture del Rinascimento: Salone di Donatello e Sala di Michelangelo – Works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Verrocchio, the Della Robbia, Giambologna and Cellini in a medieval palace.
- Founded
- 1865
- Operated by
- Musei del Bargello (Ministero della Cultura)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 188,906
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Groups | –School groups must book (maximum 25 people plus one accompanying adult). Other groups of up to 20 people plus one accompanying adult do not need to book. |
| Combined ticket for the Bargello and the Galleria dell’Accademia (valid 48 hours) | €26 |
| Combined ticket valid 72 hours for all museums in the group | €38 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month, 25 April, 2 June and 4 November; on those days bookings and educational activities are suspended.
Reductions and free admission follow national rules. Booking is optional and costs €4.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has an entrance designed for people with disabilities and a level pavement. The rooms are accessible except the Cappella, the Sagrestia and the Sala dei Bronzetti. Changes of level are overcome by ramps (with staff assistance) and a lift, but some thresholds are slightly raised. The Sala di Michelangelo is reached from the bookshop, and an accessible toilet is on the second floor. Electric scooters and wheelchairs are admitted only on a case-by-case basis. A tactile route is available for visually impaired people; contact the educational services (+39 055 064 9444, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00–12:00; mn-bar.didattica@cultura.gov.it). Cotton or latex gloves are collected at the ticket office, and the route can be used by at most three visitors at a time.
Kids & families
- Baby changing facilities
There is a changing table in the toilets.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Free cloakroom opposite the ticket office; large backpacks, large bags and bulky luggage must be left here. Bookshop along the route to the exit.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|
