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:''For the type of embroidery, please visit Bargello (needlework)''
The 'Bargello', also known as the 'Bargello Palace' or 'Palazzo del Popolo' (Palace of the People) is a former barracks and prison, now an art museum, in Florence, Italy.
The word ''bargello'' appears to come from the late Latin ''bargillus'' [from Goth ''bargi'' and German ''burg'']: ''castle'' or ''fortified tower''. During the Italian Middle Ages it was the name given to a military captain in charge of keeping peace and justice (hence "Captain of justice") during riots and uproars. In Florence he was usually hired from a foreign city to prevent any appearance of favoritism on the part of the Captain. The position could be compared with that of a current Chief of police. The name Bargello was extended to the building which was the office of the captain.
The Bargello palace was built to house first the ''Capitano del Popolo'' and later, in 1261, the ''Podestà'', the highest magistrate of the Florence City Council, Italy. This Palazzo del Podestà, as it was originally called, is the oldest public building in Florence. This austere crenellated building served as model for the construction of the Palazzo Vecchio. In 1574, the Medici dispensed with the function of the ''Podestà'' and housed the ''bargello'', the police chief of Florence, in this building, hence its name. Florence: An Architectural Guide, , Guido, Zucconi, Arsenale Editrice, 1995, ISBN 88-7743-147-4 It was employed as a prison; executions took place in the Bargello's yard until they were abolished by Grand Duke Peter Leopold in 1786. It remained the headquarters of the Florentine police until 1865.
The original two-story structure was built alongside the Volognana Tower in 1256. The third story, which can be identified by the smaller blocks used to construct it, was added after the fire of 1323. The building is designed around an open courtyard with an external staircase leading to the second floor. An open well is found in the center of the courtyard.
Since 1865 it has become a national museum (''Museo Nazionale del Bargello''), displaying the largest Italian collection of gothic and Renaissance sculptures (14–17th century).
The museum houses masterpieces by Michelangelo, such as his ''Bacchus'', ''Pitti Tondo'' (or ''Madonna and Child''), ''Brutus'' and ''David-Apollo''. Sala di Michelangelo e della scultura del Cinquecento
Its collection includes Donatello's ''David'' and ''St. George Tabernacle'' Salone di Donatello e della Scultura del Quattrocento
, Vincenzo Gemito's ''Pescatore'' ("fisherboy"),^[1] Jacopo Sansovino's ''Bacco'', Giambologna's ''L’Architettura''^[2] and his ''Mercurio'' and many works from the Della Robbia family.^[3][4][5] Benvenuto Cellini is represented with his bronze bust of Cosimo I.
The museum also has a fine collection of ceramics, textile, tapestries, ivory, silver, armours and old coins.

Lorenzo Ghiberti's "Isaac's Sacrifice"

It also features the competing designs on ''Isaac's Sacrifice'' (''Sacrificio di Isacco'') that were performed by Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi to win the contest for the second set of doors of the Florentine Baptistry (1401).
Honolulu Hale's interior courtyard, staircase, and open ceiling were modeled after the Bargello.^[6]

A plaster copy of Donatello's David, one of the most famous statues in the Bargello

Contents

References

External links

References

1. Il Cortile
2. Verone
3. Cappella di Maria Maddalena e Sagrestia
4. Sala di Giovanni della Robbia
5. Sala di Andrea della Robbia
6. Historic Honolulu (The Capitol District)

External links

★ Bargello National Museum

★ Palace of Bargello

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