Formerly Villa Manadora, the most beautiful view of Florence earned it the name “Villa Belvedere”. Today Villa Bardini, a place rich in history, art and culture, has become an exhibition centre, with a predilection for contemporary art.
Formerly Villa Manadora, the most beautiful view of Florence earned it the name “Villa Belvedere”. Today Villa Bardini, a place rich in history, art and culture, has become an exhibition centre, with a predilection for contemporary art.
Brief History
A connoisseur of art and an unbridled merchant in antiquities, Stefano Bardini (1836-1922) donated his private collection to Florence, where it was displayed in this Neo-Renaissance Villa, a former church and convent of San Gregorio della Pace, that he chose to house his antiquarian gallery.
The Museo Stefano Bardini
The Bardini collection is made of over 2000 items, including sculptures, paintings and objects of applied arts, from ancient art to that of the 18th century, with a major presence of works from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Among its most significant works are St. Michael the Archangel by Antonio del Pollaiolo, the Madonna of the Ropes by Donatello and Guercino’s Atlas.
The Garden
The scenographic Giardino Bardini, four hectares of woodland, an Italian-style garden and a kitchen garden and orchard, is visitable separately with the same ticket used for the Boboli Gardens.
Events, museums and a restaurant
In June this unique location usually hosts appointments of the “Maggio Fiorentino” cultural festival, concerts to be enjoyed in the surroundings of the marvellous gardens – you should take a selfie with its famous wisteria.
Along with temporary exhibitions, Villa Bardini hosts:
– the Pietro Annigoni Museum (www.museoannigoni.it), dedicated to the great realist painter
– the Roberto Capucci Museum (www.fondazionerobertocapucci.com, currently being restructured).
– a Michelin-starred restaurant, La Leggenda dei Frati
Costa San Giorgio, 2
Via dei Bardi, 1/r
T: +39 055 20066233
www.villabardini.it
Opening hours
VILLA BARDINI
Tues-Sun 10am-7pm. Closed on Mondays.
Full ticket price €8.
BARDINI GARDENS
Daily 8.15am-4.30pm (Nov-Feb); 8.15am-5.30pm (Mar); 8.15am-6.30pm (Apr-May, Sept-Oct); 8.15am-7.30pm (Jun-Aug). Closed first and last Monday of the month, 1 January, 1 May, 25 December.
Full ticket price €10 (with Boboli Gardens and the Porcelain Museum).
STEFANO BARDINI MUSEUM
Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon 11am-5pm. Closed on 1 January, Easter, 1 May, 15 August, 25 December.
Full ticket price €6.
Article by Xxxxxx xxxxxxxx
Translation by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
