Things to do in Accademia of Florence
The Accademia Gallery is an essential stop for any visitor to Florence for one exquisite reason: Michelangelo’s David. One of the most celebrated works of the Renaissance, the fantastic details of this sculpture, from David’s sinewy arms to his steely gaze, are well worth the queues.
Carved from a single block of marble, Michelangelo’s heroic David became a symbol of Florentine power, freedom and independence, particularly in the face of the threatening Medici in the 16th century. Originally placed in a public square outside the Palazzo Vecchio, due to the damaging effect of the elements it was later moved to the Accademia Gallery.
While not quite as celebrated, Michelangelo’s Prigioni ('Prisoners' or slaves) is another powerful work that you can admire in the gallery. Originally commissioned for the tomb of Pope Julius, the sculptures show four prisoners struggling to break free of the marble that bounds them; which some interpret as a metaphor for humanity bound by the material world. The museum also features impressive works by Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Andrea Orcagna and other notable artists from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early 17th century.
Opening times
- 8.15am-6.50pm Tuesday to Sunday
- CLOSED 25 December, 1 January, 1 May
- FREE on the first Sunday of each month
About the Accademia of Florence
Founded in 1784 by Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Lorraine, the Accademia was originally a teaching facility for students of the adjacent Academy of Fine Arts. It took over the old Hospital of Saint Matthew and the Convent of Saint Niccolò di Cafaggio, which is where it stands today. Overtime it amassed a collection of works from convents and monasteries suppressed by Peter Leopold in 1786 and Napoleone Bonaparte in 1810. However, it was the arrival of Michelangelo’s David in 1873 that saw the gallery make the leap towards the importance it has today. It is currently among the the most visited museums in Italy.
Address
Via Ricasoli 58-60, FIorence, Italy
Getting there
- By train
- Firenze SMN
- By bus
- 14, 23
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Accademia of Florence
Florence
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Reviews Accademia of Florence
“We had absolutely no problem with the guide or the actual visit to the gallery, but as with everything else on our holiday this year so far, the service from TUI was poor. We were given a meeting point and time to meet, but it wasn't obvious where that actually was. Thankfully we found the meeting point with the help of another guide.”
“I booked my tickets for both the Uffizzi and Accademia with musement, I found it very easy to book my tickets and would definitely use this site in the future.”
“If you don't like waiting in lines I would highly suggest buying your ticket through Musement. We purchased ours online and avoided a potential 1-2 hour wait. All you have to do is go to office 51 (which is across from the main gate), show them your reservation confirmation and you'll receive your tickets! At that point you just go into the reserved ticket line! Very easy and quick!”
