Museo del Bargello, Florence

The building which contains the Bargello Museum dates back to 1255. In the 16th century, it became the residence of the Bargello (head of police) and doubled as a prison. Then halfway through the 19th century it was given to the National Museum. A visit begins with the splendid courtyard and the ground floor room where some of Michelangelo's masterpieces are exhibited, including the bust of Brutus and the David-Apollo statue. There are several of the early works of Donatello on the first floor, amongst them statues of David in marble and of St. George and David in bronze. Also here are terracottas, glazed by Luca della Robbia, of the Virgin Mary with Child. The museum bought some minor decorative art including ivories from the Roman and the Byzantine periods, medieval enamels, German and French goldsmith's art and Renaissance jewelery.