BARGELLO MUSEUM ENTRANCE TICKET

Description

The Bargello palace was built in 1255 by the Fazione del Popolo (People\'s Guard) as fortress and arsenal to hold out against the noble families of Florence. In 1865 a superb collection of sculpture from the Florentine Renaissance and an assembly of small renaissance bronzes was installed, including works of art by Michelangelo, Donatello, Cellini, and Giambologna.

The walls of the medieval courtyard are decorated with the armorial symbol of the Podestà, the highest magistrate of the city of Florence,and with sculptures from the 16th century, including the Oceano by Giambologna which was once at home in the Boboli gardens. A well stands in the center of the courtyard, where executions were once held.

As you enter the first room from the courtyard, you\'ll discover masterpieces by Michelangelo, such as the Tondo Pitti and the Bacco, and many other mythological sculptures.

On the ground floor, there are works of art by Cellini and Giambologna, including his Mercurio (Mercury) and Firenze vittoriosa su Pisa (Florence\'s victory over Pisa).



On the first floor, you will find the Salone del Consiglio (Council Hall), characterized by its high ceiling, once the tribunal hall. Here, you will see some of the finest works of Donatello such as his marble sculpture of the youthful David, and the sculpture of Saint George, carved for and once part of the external walls of the Orsanmichele church. You\'ll also see Donatello\'s later, much-discussed bronze David.


On this floor you can visit the Ivory Room with the Carrand collection, 265 pieces that may be dated between the 5th and 17th century, including diptychs, ceramic tiles, reliquaries. The second room houses the Bargello safe with precious wrought iron decorations. From this room you enter the chapel of Maria Magdalena with the vestry of the Sacristy, where the condemned awaited their death. The religious paintings on the wall are by Giotto\'s school. In the Islamic room you can take a glance at oriental carpets and examples of Damascene bronze, some from the grand-ducal collections. The museum also displays rare wooden sculptures and Venetian glass, as well as an important collection of maiolica from Urbino, Siena, Orvieto, and Florence.



On the second floor, there are many glazed terracotta objects in two rooms, including the Busto di fanciullo (Baby\'s bust) by Andrea della Robbia. There is also an exhibition of Italian medals and an exquisite collection of small Renaissance bronzes. The Sala delle Armi contains fascinating medieval ivories, armory, and weapons.