Guided tour
Florence: Accademia Gallery Small Group Tour
- Small group
- Skip the ticket line
- Duration: 1 hour
From
US$ 47.30
per person
Top pick
Michelangelo's David: Tours & Tickets
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before your activity starts for a full refund.
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Top 5 facts about Michelangelo's David
Michelangelo's masterpiece is one of the world's most recognizable sculptures. Located at Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, tours of the museum reveal a defining moment in Renaissance art – but there's a fascinating history behind David too!
1. He was commissioned for the Florence Cathedral
Originally intended to stand among other stone sculptures on the cathedral's roof, the 6-ton statue was too heavy to raise. It was placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio instead.
2. Michelangelo was the third sculptor to work on him
The sculpture was started by Agostino di Duccio in 1463, before work briefly continued under a soon-fired Antonio Rossellino. Michelangelo was employed to finish the work in 1501.
3. He glares towards Rome
David's confident stare is directed towards Firenze's strongest rival -- Rome. The city was one of many neighboring powers that threatened the Republic of Florence's sovereignity.
4. He was bricked up during World War II
David was wrapped in cloth and entombed in brick as part of Italian efforts to protect their historic artworks from bomb damage. Michelangelo's Moses received the same treatment!
5. His toes were broken with a hammer
In 1991 Piero Cannata attacked the statue with a hammer he'd concealed under his jacket, breaking the second toe of the left foot. Police described the 47-year-old as "deranged."
Planning Your Visit
What are the opening times?
The Galleria dell'Accademia is open between 8:15AM and 6:50PM from Tuesday to Sunday.
How to get there?
The Galleria dell'Accademia can be easily reached by many different bus routes to the stops Ss. Annunziata - Istituto Degli Innocent, Piazza di San Marco, San Marco Rettorato, or Cavour. Michelangelo's David is located in the museum's Hall of the Prisoners.
Good to know
-
- When should I visit?
- Tues - Sun: 8:15AM - 6:50PM
-
- Is it expensive?
- Around 15 Euros. Price varies whether you book online or purchase at the ticket office.
-
- Will I need a guide?
- Not necessarily, but consider this... is there anything better in the world than an enthusiastic Italian tour guide?
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- How to get there
- Florence is rather walkable so you easily go there by foot. Numerous bus lines also stop in front of the Galleria.
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- Additional information
- Make sure to pre-book your tickets! The David is an especially popular attraction.
What people are saying about Michelangelo's David
I would surely recommend this agency for all your visit of Florence. And for the Academia I suggest to book skip the line ticket with guide. Otherwise you have to wait under the sun for many hours to get it. My tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate with her information. I enjoyed the walk to the Academia and seeing Florence for the first time, skipping the line ups gives you a chance to appreciate more time enjoying the beautiful views. Also when I arrived the meeting point, the office worker were super kind and helpful.
I thought the whole set up was great, our tour guide was brilliant and he was able to conduct the entire tour in english. He was knowledgable around the subject, able to answer all questions which were thrown at him. The only benefit I can see from the current Covid situation is the fact that the museum has limited numbers, which allows you to get up close and personal with David and the other works. I would thoroughly recommend this tour, especially as it meant we missed the queue.
My daughter and I really enjoyed the visit by Lori, she spoke perfect English, her major is art hence got full knowledge and passion during the tour, even today my daughter still telling David and unfinished pieces story to her father, she loved Michelangelo a lots as the story elaborated by Lori is very interesting. Thanks Lori, what a wonderful lesson to learn from you❤️
Friendly and knowledgeable guide, hassle-free speedy entry to the museum, deep dive into the story around the statue and other works of art, techniques used to create them and the artist's personal background. Very lively and entartaining!
Our guide named Seif Allah was incredible. His knowledge of the history of Florence and the artists was top notch. His tour made us think and discover the possible reasons behind the art and sculptures. Such a great experience!
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