The Bardini Museum is lost among the museum “stars” of Florence, there are few tourists even in the peak season, which makes it even more attractive. Stefano Bardini was a renowned restorer and dealer in antiques of the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, he searched for antique rarities, restored and resold them to private collectors, while collecting his own collection. Before his death, he handed it over to the city authorities along with the building.
The museum is located on the grounds of the church of the former monastery of San Gregorio della Pace, which Bardini turned into a neo-Renaissance palace.
What to see
The collection at the Bardini Museum is presented in terms of color and style rather than subject matter. On the high, bright ground floor, there are antique statues and parts of buildings, portals and plaster bas-reliefs. The walls of the second floor are painted in deep blue, on which old frames, collections of crucifixes and icons “Madonna and Child” from glazed terracotta look great.
Of the artistic canvases, the most outstanding historians call the painting “Archangel Michael” by Antonio del Polaiollo of the 15th century.
Particular attention is drawn to the ancient coffered ceilings, the 4 m high crucifix and the original statue of the famous Florentine Boar. Decorated with skillful painting, chests-shops will show how the medieval Florentine nobility kept wealth, collections of weapons, figurines and musical instruments are no less interesting.
Now the Bardini Museum is not only exhibition halls, but also restoration workshops.
Address: Florence, Via dei Renai, 37.
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