The Bandini Museum was founded by Canon Bandini in 1795, in the church of Sant'Ansano.

The art collection was left as per Bandini’s legal will to the Chapter of the Duomo of Fiesole “for the benefit and good of the public” as it states in the will. Bandini gathered the works of the so-called ‘primitive’ artists, which was threatened by the ecclesiastical suppression during the Lorena government. The works from the late-middle ages and early Renaissance, which, at the time, were not appreciated for their true artistic value, sparked interest in Bandini mainly for their historic worth and their ability to illustrate the origins of the local culture. After Bandini’s passing, the collection remained in his home, which was located near the San Ansano church. The collection was later moved to the museum in 1913.