One of theunmissable sights of Florence, the Bargello is to sculpture what the Uffizi isto fine art. You will see Donatello’s David, such a delicate contrast toMichelangelo’s powerful figure, as well as Michelangelo’s wonderful Bacchus andworks by Cellini, and Giambologna. The building itself is fascinating too,dating from the 13th century and having had many different functionsthroughout its long history. Initially it was the headquarters of the Capitanodel Popolo, later that of the Podesta until in the 16th century, itbecame the headquarters of the Bargello or head of police spies, from whence ittakes its name. Its last function before becoming a museum was in the 18thcentury, when it became a prison.
