Bargello

Bargello is a term used in Italian art and history with several related meanings, all associated with Florence in particular. It commonly refers to a building, an office, or a textile technique.

The Bargello Palace in Florence, also known as Palazzo del Bargello or Palazzo del Popolo, is a medieval fortress begun in the 13th century. It originally housed the capitano del popolo and later the city’s chief of police, known as the Bargello. In the 19th and 20th centuries it was converted into a national museum. The building is notable for its brick Gothic architecture and for its sculpture collection, which is regarded as among the most important in Italy, with works by Donatello, Michelangelo, and other masters.

In addition to the palace, Bargello was the title of the Florentine chief of police and magistrate. The Bargello oversaw public order, law enforcement, and judicial administration in the city and, at times, in other communes. The term also appears in other Italian contexts to denote similar offices.

Bargello also designates a form of needlepoint embroidery, sometimes called Florentine embroidery. The technique uses long, straight stitches of contrasting colors laid in bold, geometric patterns to create textured surfaces. It flourished in Italy from the 16th to 18th centuries and has a durable, decorative legacy in modern craft.