Bargello

Sculptural masterpieces in the city’s oldest building
Word to the wise: Take a short break from the stunning sculptures to seek out the lavish medal collection worn (or in some cases distributed) by the powerful Medici family.

Originally built in the mid-13th century as a palace for the local chief magistrate, the Bargello - Florence’s oldest building - has since been used variously as police headquarters, a prison and a barracks. But today it’s one of the country’s most important art galleries, displaying its largest collection of Gothic and Renaissance sculptures.
Across three levels you can find a plethora of Michelangelo masterpieces - including ‘Brutus’, ‘David-Apollo’, ‘Bacchus’ and ‘Madonna and Child’ - as well as highly regarded statues and sculptures by other Renaissance masters, such as Donatello’s ‘David’, Giambologna’s ‘Mercurio’, Jacopo Sansovino’s ‘Bacco’ and Vincenzo Gemito’s ‘Pescatore’.

There are also fine silver, ceramic, tapestry, textile, armour, weapon and coin collections to be enjoyed. And most of all, you get to explore the stunning architecture of the iconic building that inspired Palazzo Vecchio.