Bargello

Bargello , 13th-century palace in Florence, Italy, which houses the national museum. Once the residence of the highest city official, but later used as a prison and as the office of the chief of police ( bargello ), it was restored in 1859 to receive the art treasures of the city. The Bargello is famous for its courtyard and its Renaissance sculptures, including works by Michelangelo, Verrocchio, Donatello, the Della Robbias, Cellini, and others.

Bargello (Museo Nazionale del Bargello), Florence. Museum housing an unrivalled collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture. It is located in one of the city's best-preserved medieval buildings, the Palazzo del Podestà, begun in 1255; initially it was the residence of the chief magistrate of the city and then of the head of government (Podestà). In 1574 it was converted into a prison and assigned to the head of the police (‘Bargello’), and in 1857–65 it was restored and remodelled as a museum. The collection contains works by virtually all the leading Italian Renaissance sculptors (including the celebrated bronze statues of David by Donatello and Verrocchio) and also has an extensive collection of applied arts, including armour, enamels, medals, and tapestries.

Bargello Museum in Florence housing an unrivalled collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture. It is located in one of the city's best-preserved medieval buildings, the Palazzo del Podestà, begun in 1255; initially it was the residence of the chief magistrate of the city and then of the head of government (podestà). In 1574 it was converted into a prison and assigned to the head of the police (bargello), and in 1857–65 it was restored and remodelled as a museum. The collection contains works by virtually all the leading Italian Renaissance sculptors (including the celebrated bronze statues of David by Donatello and Verrocchio) and also has an extensive collection of applied arts, including armour, enamels, medals, and tapestries.