Bardini Museum

The Bardini Museum in Florence is a unique place that combines history, art, and architecture in a fascinating experience. Located in the Oltrarno district, the museum has a rich and varied history dating back to the ancient church of San Gregorio della Pace, founded in 1273 by the Mozzi family. The original building and the attached convent were later transformed by Stefano Bardini, a renowned antiquarian, who purchased the entire complex in the 1870s. Between 1881 and 1883, Bardini, with the help of architect Corinto Corinti, reconstructed the palace incorporating architectural pieces from different eras, purchased on the antique market. Stefano Bardini was not only a collector but also a great innovator. He created rooms large enough to accommodate ceilings detached from ancient buildings, monumental staircases, and environments rich in historical fragments. The facade of the palace, although criticized at the time for its heterogeneity, is a fascinating example of the reuse of ancient materials, including elements from the church of San Lorenzo in Pistoia and the cathedral of Fiesole.Upon Bardini’s death in 1922, the palace and its rich collection were donated to the Municipality of Florence, which transformed the building into a museum open to the public in 1925. The original museum layout, curated by Alfredo Lensi, was further enriched in 1937 with the donation of the Corsi collection, consisting of over six hundred works ranging from the 12th to the 19th century.The Bardini Museum houses more than 3600 works, including paintings, sculptures, armor, musical instruments, ceramics, coins, medals, and antique furniture. Some of the most important works include Tino di Camaino’s “Charity,” Donatello’s “Madonna of the Cordai,” glazed terracottas from the workshop of the Della Robbia family, and Antonio del Pollaiolo’s “Archangel Michael.” The collection is eclectic and varied, reflecting Bardini’s personal taste for Renaissance and Baroque art.The museum has undergone several restoration interventions over the years, including those in 1956 and 1967-68, the latter following the damage caused by the 1966 flood. An important restoration took place between 1999 and 2009, restoring the palace to its original glory. During these works, the characteristic “Bardini blue” was recovered, a shade of blue that decorated the museum walls, inspired by the neoclassical palaces of St. Petersburg.The Crucifix room, one of the most evocative in the museum, houses a large medieval wooden Crucifix and a collection of wedding chests and ceramics. Along the main staircase, ancient carpets are displayed, including one measuring 7.50 meters used during Hitler’s visit to Florence in 1938. On the upper floors, there are paintings, bronzes, and an area dedicated to the “live” restoration of artworks, offering visitors a unique insight into conservation processes.The Bardini Museum is also closely linked to the history of Florence and its traditions. Two rooms on the ground floor are dedicated to the city and its history, with emblematic works such as Pietro Tacca’s Boar from the Porcellino fountain, Giambologna’s Devil, and the golden Marzocco from the lintel of Palazzo Vecchio.