The National Museum of Bargello is found in one of the oldest palaces in Florence dating back to 1255. At first, residence of the Captains of the People, it later became residence of the Captain of Justice.
The Bargello, gets its name from the person of the same name who transformed it into a prison, where the execution of Baroncelli, who conspired with the Pazzi family against the Medici's, took place. The museum was created in 1865 and today hosts a collection of Renaissance and Gothic pieces and other works from the 15th century. The entrance in Via del Pronconsolo leads you into Medioeval courtyard with and atmosphere of great artistic charm.
In the middle of the courtyard, today sits a well in the place where a gallows was once found. The courtyard leads you into the first hall which gathers works of art done by Florence masters in 1500 like the Bacco by Michelangelo, the Mercury and the Florence Victorious over Pisa by Giambologna, In the grand 13th century salon on the first floor, one can find works of art by Donatello and his pupils Desiderio da Settignano and Antonio Rossellino as well as two paving stones that Lorenzo Ghibetti and Filippo Brunelleschi had presented for the making of the door of the Florentine Baptistery in 1401.
On the first floor, as well, you find the Hall of Ivories which hosts pieces in ivory from the Carrand collection, the Islamic Hall, which gathers a collection of tapestries and other oriental objects, Council Hall, hosting sculptures of Florentine artists from 1400, Hall of Majoilcs, where on can find and admire examples of earthenware from the bottegas of Urbino, Siena, Ovieto, and Florence.
On the second floor of the Museum, the first hall is dedicated to Giovanni della Robbia displaying his sculptures in terracotta. In the Hall of Weapons one can admire arms once used in medieval times. The Hall dedicated to Andrea dell Robbia, Hall of Bronzetti, Hall of Verrocchio, and finally the exhibition of Medals of Florence, a collection of medals from the Renaissance era.