Galleria dell'Accademia

The Galleria dell'Accademia is one of Florence's most visited museums, primarily because it houses Michelangelo's original David, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture carved from a single block of marble. The museum was originally established in 1784 as an art school, and its collection includes other Michelangelo works like the unfinished Slaves, which offer insight into his sculpting process. Visitors follow a corridor lined with plaster casts and paintings by Florentine artists such as Botticelli and Ghirlandaio, leading to the iconic David standing under a skylight designed specifically for it. The experience is intimate yet awe-inspiring, with the statue's scale and detail, from the tension in his veins to his focused gaze, captivating viewers. Beyond David, the museum's collection of Russian icons and musical instruments provides additional depth, making it a comprehensive stop for art lovers.

Don't miss

• Michelangelo's David: the original marble statue, 5.17 meters tall, completed in 1504
• The Slaves (Prigioni): four unfinished Michelangelo sculptures showing figures emerging from stone
• The Hall of the Colossus: paintings by 16th-century Florentine artists including Andrea del Sarto
• The Museum of Musical Instruments: a collection of historic instruments, including a viola by Stradivari

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Galleria dell'Accademia

Cheapest way inPriority Entrance -Florence Accademia Gallery Tickets4.1★ · 618 travelersFree cancellationFrom$30 per personSee dates →Most bookedFlorence Accademia Gallery Tour with Entrance Ticket Included4.8★ · 7,606 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$56 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleDAVID and Accademia Gallery Private Tour in Florence5★ · 234 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$124 per personSee dates →