Museo del Bargello

The best collection of Florentine sculpture in the world, housed in the old, fortified 13th century Palazzo del Popolo. The courtyard is very atmospheric. The collection on the ground floor is dominated by the works of Michelangelo and his pupils. His early, drunken Bacchus, a study in inebriation, is particularly memorable. Cellini's bust of the Grand Duke Cosimo is wonderfully realistic. Upstairs, a whole room is devoted to the works of Donatello. No 15th century sculpture can match his bronze David and marble St George, which show how perfectly he had mastered the ability to portray human anatomy and to depict man's inner character. On the loggia outside are Giambologna's masterly bronzes of various birds. There is a fine collection of portrait busts and small bronzes on the top floor by Verrocchio, Pollaiuolo and others.