This year marks exactly one hundred years since the inauguration of the Museo Stefano Bardini, an authentic jewel of the city's cultural heritage.
In the Oltrarno, just a few steps from Ponte alle Grazie and Ponte Vecchio, there is an extraordinary place, unknown to mass tourism: the Stefano Bardini Museum. Crossing the threshold of this building is like stepping back in time, and returning to the Florence of the early 20th century, the years when Stefano Bardini, the ‘prince of antiquarians’, had set up his eclectic showroom here; just a stone's throw from his home, the princely Villa Bardini, which dominates the city from above with its spectacular garden.
In the various rooms, mainly painted blue (the famous ‘Blu Bardini’), one can admire thousands of objects, works of art, weapons, musical instruments and mirabilia assembled according to the eclectic taste of the collector. These include the bronze boar by Pietro Tacca (the one in the Porcellino Market is a copy) and works by great artists such as Donatello, Tiepolo, Della Robbia, Tino di Camaino and Piero del Polladiolo. By the latter is the Saint Michael Archangel whose restoration has just begun, open to all for the occasion.
The calendar of events to coincide with this centenary includes numerous activities. Throughout the month of May, from Friday to Monday, guided tours of the museum are organised for adults and children. Then, every Saturday, there will be the Bardini Walks that, in addition to the Garden (departure at 10.00 a.m.) include Palazzo Mozzi-Bardini and the Museum itself. If on Saturday 18 there will be the first appointment with the historical figure of Stefano Bardini, in a living history key, on Saturday 24 the youngest will be able to spend the Night at the Museum here too, on the occasion of the ‘Firenze dei bambini’ (Florence for children Festival, May 23-25)
