Museums; The Bargello Revisited

The Bargello in Florence is a great museum, with a collection of important Italian sculptures.  We recently returned to the Bargello to view the collection.

The Bargello itself is a very old, impressive building:

• The name Bargello probably comes from the Latin word for fortress or fortified castle
• Construction started in 1255 and the building was modified over the centuries
• The first architect was Vasari da Lapo Tedesco, the father of Arnolfo di Cambio, the first architect of the Palazzo Vecchio and also the Duomo, Florence's cathedral
• The building served as a fortress and prison for 600 years
• The Bargello was converted to a national museum in 1865 when Florence became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy 

The inner courtyard of the Bargello, with a view of the bell/watch tower.  The 12th century Boscoli tower predates the Bargello and was incorporated into the Bargello 

Another view of the inner courtyard of the Bargello, with coats of arms representing Florentine officials and also districts of Florence

The museum is home to masterpieces by Giambologna, Cellini and Donatello.

One of the best pieces in the collection is a bust of Michelangelo portrayed near the end of his long life. 

If you visit Florence, the Bargello is a must-see, in addition to the many other must-see's in Florence.

P.S.  The artistic beauty in the Bargello today belies the Bargello's terrible past.  The courtyard of the Bargello long served as the place of execution of condemned prisoners.  Since Florence was once devout, a chapel was provided for the condemned.