6The Bargello: A Sculptural Treasure Trove

Art lovers who have marveled at the Uffizi often overlook the Bargello Museum, yet it is one of Florence’s richest collections. Housed in a medieval palace that once served as a barracks and prison, the Bargello is dedicated to sculpture.

Here, you’ll find masterpieces like Donatello’s bronze David—the first freestanding nude statue since antiquity—and works by Michelangelo, Giambologna, and Verrocchio. Without the overwhelming crowds of the Uffizi or Accademia, the Bargello offers the chance to appreciate Renaissance art in a more intimate setting.