Time your visit: entry is free on the first Sunday of the month, and during the summer the museum also holds magical late openings
In the summer months you won’t struggle to find the famous Galleria dell’Accademia — just look for the longest queue of tourists in Florence. This art museum is popular for good reason: it has been the home of Michaelangelo’s David since 1873. Before then David was left out in the cold in the Piazza della Signoria; a replica remains there even now.
There’s much more to see besides David in the Accademia, magnificent as it is. Upon entering the building you step into the Hall of the Colossus, home of the plaster model for Giambologna’s masterful marble sculpture Rape of the Sabine Women. The real thing can be seen in the Loggia dei Lanzi, but the model is just as interesting, showing a master’s creative process as he summons life from a single block of marble. Neighbouring rooms contain paintings by Andrea Orcagna, Taddeo Gaddi, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Filippino Lippi and Sandro Botticelli.
Tribute for an Old Master
The Accademia was at first specifically intended as a tribute to Michaelangelo, celebrating the fourth centenary of his birth. It has broadened its range since then, but it still contains numerous works of his. Other than David, it also includes his four unfinished Prisoners, which were intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II, and a statue of Saint Matthew.
Sounds and sweet airs
The most recent section of the Accademia, the Museum of Musical Instruments, offers the chance to learn about the invention of the piano, created by Bartolomeo Cristofori for the Medici, and admire the Grand Ducal collection of forty instruments, scaling from harpsichords to violoncellos.
Discover the highlights of Florence and follow an expert and entertaining tour guide to the most significant places through the historical centre and learn about the amazing history of the city from the time it was the capital of the Renaissance to the time it became the capital of early unified Italy.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
Your tour begins in the prestigious Accademia Gallery, where you will enjoy timed entrance tickets to the museum, and explore stunning artwork, including Michelangelo's David.
Then see the religious centre of the city: admire the Duomo, whose impressive Dome was designed by Brunelleschi, and the Baptistery of Saint John, one of the oldest buildings in Florence. From the religious centre, you will walk to the political centre, and enjoy a pleasant stroll through Piazza Della Signoria, surrounded by its ancient buildings and the Loggia Dei Lanzi.
In this open-air museum, we will see original masterpieces by Giambologna and Cellini. From there, you'll cross the famous Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge on the Arno River. Your tour finishes with a delicious gelato (on us!) before your guide leaves you with recommendations for how to spend the remainder of your day.
This half-day tour of Florence's Renaissance artwork and architecture is a must for all visitors.
Please note: that there is often a long line to enter into the Duomo of Florence. If the line is too long you will not visit the interior of the Cathedral on tour, and your guide will give you tips on the best time to return to avoid standing in line.
Please note that there is often a long line to enter into the Duomo of Florence. If the line is too long you will not visit the interior of the Cathedral on tour, and your guide will give you tips on the best time to return to avoid standing in line.
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