Florence Attractions

The Bargello (Museo Nazionale del Bargello)

This Gothic Palazzo shelters a treasured national collection of Renaissance sculpture. Before its renovation to become Italy's first national museum, the building, constructed in 1255, functioned as a town hall, private residence and prison. An extensive collection of decorative arts is on display in addition to the magnificent sculptures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Giambologna and Cellini. The Palazzo's inner courtyard is ornamented with numerous coats of arms and the grand stairwell leading to the second-story loggia overflows with bronze birds created for the Medici's gardens. Other notable displays include an Islamic collection, an assortment of ivories (the largest collection in the world) and 16th-century majolica porcelain from Urbino, Faenza and Florence.

Address: Via del Proconsolo 4; E-mail: museobargello@libero.it; Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/bargello; Telephone: (055) 238 8606. Reserve tickets on (055) 294 883; Opening time: Daily, 8.15am to 5pm. Closed 2nd and 4th Monday of each month; 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday of each month; New Year Day, May 1st and Christmas Day.; Admission: €4, Concessions available