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Review:
The Bargello, which is also known as the Palazzo del Bargello or the Palace of the People, is a former Florentine prison and barracks that has been converted into an art museum.
The complex's name is believed to have been derived from the Latin word bargillus, which means "fortified tower" or "castle." It was originally constructed in 1255 and is Florence's oldest public building, originally built to house the city's podestà , or city council magistrate. In 1574, it began to be used as a prison and remained the Florentine police headquarters until the mid-19th century, when it was converted into a national museum by the Governor of Tuscany.
Today, it houses the largest collection of Renaissance and Gothic sculptures in Italy, including significant pieces by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Bernini. Significant collections of ceramics, tapestries, textiles, and metalworks are also showcased.
Via del Proconsolo, 4-50122 Firenze, Phone +39-05-50-64-94-40
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