Museo Stefano Bardini
Museo Stefano Bardini
4.5
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The museum is named after its creator, Stefano Bardini (1854-1922), the most authoritative Italian antiquarian, who transformed his collection into a museum.The Museo Bardini houses over 2,000 items, including sculptures, paintings and the applied arts, from ancient art to the eighteenth century, with the majority from Middle Ages and Renaissance. Among the most significant works are the Madonna della Mela and the Madonna dei Cordai by Donatello, Saint Michael Archangel by Antonio del Pollaiolo.
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Neighbourhood: Centro Storico
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
166 reviews
Excellent
97
Very good
53
Average
12
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Charles M
25 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
The potential of this museum is absolutely huge and I was stunned that I was more or less the only person there; an amazing eclectic mix of items put together by one of the world's greatest-ever collectors. There was some really stunning stuff from ceilings to religious architecture to weaponry. However, I could not help feeling more than a touch lost. While a few items were written up, the majority were not (there were so many on show) so one did not always know what exactly one was looking at. When I asked the staff about certain items which really appealed to me, they generally drew a blank, even with the more important items on show. Further, many of the rooms were too dark to look at them in detail, especially that devoted to the paintings ... given other museums in Florence with really priceless art which were better lit, one can only ask the reason. Overall therefore I was rather sadly left with the feeling that someone needs to take it over and really show it off for what this museum is potentially worth. The wonderful boar aside, I regret that I left feeling uninspired and that was a pity.
Written 10 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brun066
Florence, Italy13,641 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
A common opinion provides that the travelers in Florence see first the plenty of and sublime architectures and museums, and only then, if it's time left, they broaden their attention to the "minor" (minor in relation to Florence, that is) heritage: eg the less illustrious palaces and churches, or museums such Bardini, Horne, Stibbert, etc.
This belief tells the truth but not the whole truth. In fact the Bardini Museum isn't merely the medium-size product of an art collector. Stefano Bardini typically bought fine arts works, but only to sell most of them, as he was an art dealer. Among its customers are some of the greatest museums in the world, and even the owners of some of the largest private collections of Western art (only two names: Morgan, Jacquemart-André).
His leading function in this field, especially between 1870 and 1920, could deploy as the young Italian State at the time didn't set strong limits to the art export; in addition the undoubted competence of Bardini acted, which earned him the trust of his customers. The Bardini company then grew, and located its offices in this building, obtained rehashing some palaces formerly belonged to the Mozzi family.
Among the works of art that passed through here, Mr. Bardini has retained over the years a part, which is the origin of the current museum: a collection of pieces that have been purchased, but have not been resold .
The pieces are valuable and very precious, and this is certainly one of the reasons to visit the Museum; but the way practiced by Mr. Bardini to show the pieces is also signifcant: not the rule of the ages, artists, schools, etc. normal for modern museums, but a sort of patchwork built according to his personal aesthetic taste.
In some cases he even has "created" masterpieces that have never existed, modifying them at will: see, in the lobby, the porch which gives access to the statue of the "Charity", and is created with heterogeneous sculptural pieces; or the lobby's ceiling, coffered of the sixteenth century, where Bardini has replaced the bottom of coffers with glass, to transform the ceiling into a skylight.
I would stop here, concluding that the visitor will certainly not be disappointed by this museum; and even less if he will seize the peculiarity of it; peculiarity that I have tried to show, and that is also adequately communicated by many informative bilingual, Italian-English, captions.
This belief tells the truth but not the whole truth. In fact the Bardini Museum isn't merely the medium-size product of an art collector. Stefano Bardini typically bought fine arts works, but only to sell most of them, as he was an art dealer. Among its customers are some of the greatest museums in the world, and even the owners of some of the largest private collections of Western art (only two names: Morgan, Jacquemart-André).
His leading function in this field, especially between 1870 and 1920, could deploy as the young Italian State at the time didn't set strong limits to the art export; in addition the undoubted competence of Bardini acted, which earned him the trust of his customers. The Bardini company then grew, and located its offices in this building, obtained rehashing some palaces formerly belonged to the Mozzi family.
Among the works of art that passed through here, Mr. Bardini has retained over the years a part, which is the origin of the current museum: a collection of pieces that have been purchased, but have not been resold .
The pieces are valuable and very precious, and this is certainly one of the reasons to visit the Museum; but the way practiced by Mr. Bardini to show the pieces is also signifcant: not the rule of the ages, artists, schools, etc. normal for modern museums, but a sort of patchwork built according to his personal aesthetic taste.
In some cases he even has "created" masterpieces that have never existed, modifying them at will: see, in the lobby, the porch which gives access to the statue of the "Charity", and is created with heterogeneous sculptural pieces; or the lobby's ceiling, coffered of the sixteenth century, where Bardini has replaced the bottom of coffers with glass, to transform the ceiling into a skylight.
I would stop here, concluding that the visitor will certainly not be disappointed by this museum; and even less if he will seize the peculiarity of it; peculiarity that I have tried to show, and that is also adequately communicated by many informative bilingual, Italian-English, captions.
Written 9 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gillegsparis
Paris, France117 contributions
Jan 2018
Unknown by most tourists, this museum is a just stunning...something between the Frick Collection and Musée Jacquemart André; the Palace of a wonderful collectioneur!
Written 6 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia L
Geoje, South Korea51 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
This Museum is absolutely awesome! The exhibition was amazing. The Bueno brothers have style. There was a quiet calm atmosphere - cool too after that climb! The terrace has a better view of Florence than from the Piazza Michelangelo. And its much more private too! The gardens are beautiful, winding pathways with secret nooks and crannies filled with beautiful statues and plants.
Totally enjoyable.
Totally enjoyable.
Written 4 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lizklerks
Montreal, Canada9 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
In all the times we have been to Florence this was the first visit to this amazing museum.
It is eclectic, a bit of everything from carpets to weaponry,to a room of Madonnas,etc.
They were all artistically presented and set up.
Mr Bardini surely would have been pleased as we were.
We are of a certain age and would have appreciated a chair or bench to sit on but this certainly is not a deterrent to a visit. In the “painting room” the signage was too small as it is quite dark. I hate to end with a criticism as the museum is so wonderful.
It is eclectic, a bit of everything from carpets to weaponry,to a room of Madonnas,etc.
They were all artistically presented and set up.
Mr Bardini surely would have been pleased as we were.
We are of a certain age and would have appreciated a chair or bench to sit on but this certainly is not a deterrent to a visit. In the “painting room” the signage was too small as it is quite dark. I hate to end with a criticism as the museum is so wonderful.
Written 14 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AKW5457
Rogate, UK361 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
We arrived early on Sunday morning and went straight in -- no queues here (unlike many places in Florence).
Its a tad quirky with a mix of the old , interspersed with some modern art, which I'm not sure worked, but the old works are well worth visiting.
The history of the place is very interesting. It is quite a change in approach from the "classical" approach generally adopted in Florence.
It is also good value, but note that, on the day, they only took cash.
Its a tad quirky with a mix of the old , interspersed with some modern art, which I'm not sure worked, but the old works are well worth visiting.
The history of the place is very interesting. It is quite a change in approach from the "classical" approach generally adopted in Florence.
It is also good value, but note that, on the day, they only took cash.
Written 3 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LibbbbC
Encounter Bay, Australia57 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
In amongst the madness that has become life in Florence, lies an oasis of tranquil beauty with the treasures collected by this clever man.
It is a stand out for our week in Florence and would encourage everyone to use their Firenze card here first!
It is a stand out for our week in Florence and would encourage everyone to use their Firenze card here first!
Written 23 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daphne K
Tauranga, New Zealand74 contributions
Sept 2016
Great to see some collections of antiques. We spent an hour here and enjoyed the statues, wooden carvings, carpets, furniture, frames, bronze, urns, weapons, early photos and more. John Currin paintings were on display throughout the museum as well at the time.
Written 18 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryan W
Ottawa, Canada529 contributions
Jun 2016
A beautiful museum with a fabulous collection, with each room/space dedicated to a different category such as painting, sculpture, rugs, etc. Very quiet - there were only a few other visitors there - it almost felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. The architectural setting is equally as spectacular as the collection.
Written 20 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
penny_howard1
Florence, Italy267 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
If you are new to Florence the Uffizi is a "must see" gallery - but if you have visited a few times it is worth visiting these lesser known galleries - with few works by the big names but some exciting examples of Renaissance art to ponder over. One of my favourites in the Museo Bardini is a painted terracotta sculpture of a young girl - one of a few terracotta figures in the museum but very poignantly awakening to her own beauty. The bright blue colour on the walls was chosen by Bardini to show off the contrast against terracotta figures and coats of arms.
Written 27 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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