Bargello National Museum, Florence

Bargello National Museum in Florence is one of the oldest public buildings in the city. It was once a prison and now houses some of the world’s finest sculptures from the Renaissance period. The museum is small and intimate, making it the perfect place to see some of the most important works by artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Ghiberti.

The Bargello National Museum was built in 1255 as a private residence for Florence’s powerful political leader, Farinata degli Uberti. Later it became a courthouse and then, it was converted into a jail. The prison cells were in the basement while the upper floors were used for courtrooms and offices.

After Italy’s unification, the building was remodeled to house Florence’s collection of 15th-century sculptures in 1859. These had previously been displayed in various churches around the city. Today, the Bargello National Museum is home to an outstanding collection of Carrand and Renaissance art, featuring works such as Mercury, Bacchus, Tondo Pitti and Brutus. The museum is accessible enough to see everything in one visit but also provides ample opportunity for return visits to spend more time admiring your favourite pieces.

• Explore a large collection of Italian and Florentine applied arts. These applied arts include ceramics, metalwork, glasswork, tapestries, and manuscript illuminations.
• Visit the prominent museum that holds some of the greatest pieces from the medieval and Renaissance periods.
• The museum also houses the Carrand collection, which is made up of precious pieces of ivory from Roman, Byzantine and mediaeval times, french enamels, Baroque jewels and other scientific instruments.
• Explore the sculptures found in the museum from various artists such as Ghiberti, Michelangelo, and Donatello.
• Admire the artworks such as Tondo Pitti, Bacchus, David-Apollo, Mercury and Brutus in the museum.
• After exploring the museum, treat yourself to a coffee or a light bite in the cafe located on site. This is the perfect opportunity to sit down and reflect on all of the amazing art you’ve just seen!
• Learn about the culture and history of Florence Italy through remarkable artworks and paintings that depict various scenes from Florentine history and everyday life.

1. By Bus: You can reach the Bargello National Museum by using bus lines 23A, 23L, 30A, 6AL, 9, C2 and CF, as they have stops at 2- 10 minutes walking distance from it.
2. By Train: Train line that has a stop near this museum is the R line, which is at about 10 minutes' walking distance. 
3. By Light Rail: T1 and T2 light rails lines are the ones with the nearest stops from the museum. 

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The best time to visit the Bargello National Museum is in the early morning hours as the crowd is less during this time. You can admire the artifacts and interior of the museum taking your time without any hassle and have a peaceful visit if you decide to stop by during opening hours. If you want to have a pleasant experience then consider visiting between May and September as the weather is warm and the city is lively with art and music festivals, and open-air dining.

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Location: Via del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Timings: Wednesday to Monday from 8:15 am to 1:50 pm

Tuesday: Closed

Entry Fees: Tickets for the Bargello are around €2 for EU nationals, approx €12 for other visitors, and free for children up to 18 years of age. On every first Sunday of the month, entry to the Bargello National Museum is free.

Tips To Visit Bargello National Museum:

• The Bargello Museum is wheelchair accessible. 
• You are not allowed to carry large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas in the museum and must leave them at the free coat check.
• Many of the art pieces have short descriptions in Italian and English so that you can have a great visit even on your own.
• You can choose for an audio guide or even a guide to accompany you through the museum and make the most out of the visit.
• Food or drinks are not available inside the museum and you are also not allowed to carry them with you but there are a lot of cafe and restaurant options available nearby.

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