The National Bargello Museum is one of the most interesting museum of Florence under the historic and artstic’s aspects. The Museum is housed in the former Palace of the Capitain of the People.

According to Vasari the original core was built following a particular design by Lapo and corresponds to the site overlooking Via del Proconsolo: this was the city's oldest seat of government.

From the late fouteenth century to 1502 the Palace was the official habitation of the Podestà, the magistrate who governed the city and who had to come from another town.

Around 1287 the terrace was built, a fine-looking loggia overlooking the court where the Podestà often held meetings with the government of the guilds and corporations.

The tower (which predates the rest of the building) detained a bell known as La Montanina, which rang to call the Florentine citizens to gather in case of war .

The prisons remained in use until 1857, period in which they were transferred to the former Murate convent; the palace underwent complete restoration after this date under the guidance of Francesco Mazzei, one of the most famous architect.

During 1502 the palace became the center of operations of the Council of Justice and of the Police, whose head was known as the Bargello. In 1786 the grand duke Pietro Leopoldo abolished the death penalty and the torture instruments were burnt in the square.