The sexiest prison

In the center of Florence you'll find the sexiest prison you'll ever see.  It didn't start out that way though.  It used to be the center of the government.  It didn't turn into a prison until the 16th century when the police headquarters were moved here and prison cells added.

It is now one of the best museums in Florence; The Bargello.  The exterior is divine.  The courtyard perfect.  The collections are amazing and contain masterpieces from some of Italy's most famous artists like Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Giambologna, Cellini, and Verrocchio.  

You can see a Michelangelo's Drunk Bacchus, Donatello's naked David that kicked off the Renaissance, the competitive panels for the Gates of Paradise the spurred on the creation of the most famous Duomo in Italy, Cellini's Ganymede who became the cup-bearer to the gods of Olympus, the world's most famous depiction of the god Mercury by Giambologna, St. George...well, you get the picture.  

This rarely busy museum in the heart of Florence is one of Italy's finest and shouldn't be overlooked on any itinerary.  Very near it you'll find some of the best restaurants in Florence. My favorite B & B (aptly named Il Bargello B & B) that has a superb rooftop patio with a view of that will make you weep, it's right around the corner from Dante's house and Beatrice's tomb, has a great cafe on the opposite corner for a refreshing espresso, and the list goes on and on.

Be sure to listen to next week's radio show for more details.  Touch base on the Unabellavista Fan Page for more write ups this week on the Bargello and the great details behind what makes her collections great like why Michelangelo's Bacchus is different and tipsy, Why Donatello's Naked David is such a big deal, the difference in the competitive panels (let's see if you pick the winner), and much more cool stuff.