Palace of the Captain of the People

The Palace of the Captain of the People, also known as the Bargello Palace, is one of the oldest public buildings in Florence, located on Via del Proconsolo. Its construction began in 1255 to house the Captain of the People, a central figure in the government of the city-state of Florence, tasked with maintaining order and representing the interests of the people against the power of noble families. This role was often entrusted to a non-Florentine person to avoid favoritism. The palace was later expanded and renovated over the centuries, reflecting the various political and social phases of the city. From 1261, the palace became the seat of the Podestà, the highest city magistrate, and later was used as a prison and headquarters of the Florentine police. This function continued until 1859, when the building was transformed into the National Bargello Museum. The architecture of the palace is characterized by an imposing stone facade, with battlements and a tower that give the building a stern and fortified appearance. The original structure had two floors, but a third floor was added after the fire of 1323, easily recognizable for the use of smaller stone blocks. The building is organized around a central courtyard, adorned with heraldic crests of the various Podestà and Judges of the Wheel, decorating the walls and porticoes. This courtyard is one of the most evocative elements of the palace, with its combination of military and decorative architecture. The interior of the palace houses an extraordinary collection of Renaissance and medieval sculptures. Among the most famous works exhibited in the museum are Donatello’s “David,” both in bronze and marble, Michelangelo’s “Bacchus,” and numerous works by Giambologna, Cellini, Verrocchio, and the Della Robbia family. These works provide an exceptional overview of Italian sculpture between the 14th and 16th centuries, offering visitors a journey through the evolution of art and sculptural technique. Another element of great interest is the loggia on the first floor, accessible via a covered external staircase. This loggia offers a panoramic view of the inner courtyard and houses a series of decorative sculptures that further enrich the artistic heritage of the palace. Among the museum rooms, the Donatello Room is particularly important, not only for the quality of the works on display but also for the historical and artistic significance they represent. In addition to the sculpture collection, the museum also houses a vast collection of ceramics, textiles, ivories, silverware, and weapons. Among these, the preparatory drawings for the decoration of the doors of the Florence Baptistery stand out, created by Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi for the famous competition of 1401. These drawings represent a crucial moment in the history of Florentine art, marking the beginning of a new era in Renaissance art.