Galleria dell'Accademia
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The Galleria dell’ Accademia di Firenze (or the Gallery of the Academy of Florence) first opened its doors in 1784 after the Grand Duke of Tuscany Pietro Leopoldo called for the restructuring of the Academy of Arts of Design (founded by Cosimo I de Medici). It housed material for the students to study, but today it’s most famous for housing Michelangelo’s statue of David. It’s the second-most visited museum in Florence, with tickets to see David often selling out, so book in advance to avoid disappointment!
By Miriam Dewam
By Miriam DewamSelect a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:
Tickets
Book a ticket with a timeslot to see David and save time on the day.
Florence: Timed Entrance Ticket to Michelangelo’s David
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Accademia Gallery skip-the-line tickets
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Guided Tours
Take a tour of the gallery’s highlights with an expert guide.Accademia Gallery Entrance Ticket with Priority Access
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Florence: Skip-the-line David at the Accademia & Duomo Tour
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Florence: Uffizi & Accademia Small Group Walking Tour
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Florence: Accademia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
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More Tickets & Tours
Browse even more products that include a trip to the Galleria dell’ Accademia.Accademia Gallery Entrance Ticket with Priority Access
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Florence: Skip-the-line David at the Accademia & Duomo Tour
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Florence: Uffizi & Accademia Small Group Walking Tour
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Florence: Accademia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
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5 tips for visiting the Galleria dell'Accademia
Art in the Galleria dell'Accademia | Flickr: Dimitris Kamaras CC-BY 2.0
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Book in advanceIn the peak season, tickets for time slots in the middle of the day sell out in advance, and the lines to buy tickets at the door can be extremely long. Book your tickets ahead of your visit to skip the long lines and get the exact timeslot you need.
Entrance to the Galleria dell'Accademia | Ulmon: CC-BY-NC-SA 2.0
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Save Money with the Firenze CardThe Galleria dell’ Accademia is included in the Firenze Card, which will get you skip-the-line access to over 70 museums in Florence over a 72 hour period. Just be aware that for the Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery you’ll still need to reserve a timeslot for your priority entrance ahead of your visit.
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Skip the linesIf you’re visiting in summer, try going in the evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the gallery stays open later. It’ll be less busy, as tour groups will already have gone home for the day and other visitors might already be at dinner. Alternatively, you can arrive at 8 am ahead of the museum’s opening, when it will also be quieter.
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Be there for your timeslotPlan ahead in order to be on-time for your pre-booked timeslot since there’s no guarantee you’ll be let in later, especially during the high season. And don’t just see David, take your time to see the whole museum!
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Create your own visitAlthough the Galleria dell'Accademia is small compared to the Uffizi Gallery, nevertheless the Galleria has interesting exhibits on display. In case you want to keep your visit short, it is possible to see the most important works of art, including the David, within an hour. This is also the right amount of time to be spent with children; the David statue, as well as the Strumenti musicali exhibition, should not be missed. Art lovers can easily spend up to 3 hours in the gallery.
Primavera Painting by Sandro Botticelli | Photo: Unsplash, Dim 7 - CC-BY-SA 2.0
Get closer to the artworks at the Galleria dell'Accademia
You can admire countless masterpieces such as instruments, sculptures and paintings on two floors covering an area of almost 4.000 m² (43,055.64 feet²). The Galleria dell'Accademia, which originally functioned as an academy for painting and was thereby Europe's first, still holds a famous treasure: the statue of David. But since 1882 especially after its renovation works many things have changed ...Surrounded by Florentine art
The walls of the Sala del Colosso are covered with small to large paintings like a collage which depict religious scenes. Part of this exhibition are artists from the 15th and early 14th centuries such as Filippino Lippi, Alesso Baldovinetti and Paolo Uccello. Especially the exhebited painter Domenico Ghirlandaio is worth mentioning since he had a special relationship with Michelangelo and fundamentally influenced his career. However, the actual centerpiece of this room is the marble statue “Abduction of a Sabine Woman” by the Flemish sculptor and architect Giambologna (John of Boulogne), through which he expressed his craft skills.
Prelude to the peak
First you will enter the Galleria dei Grigioni, the “Corridor of the Prisoners”, which was named after the four unfinished artworks by Michelangelo also known as prisoners or slave sculptures. Due to financial shortages, they were never completed, leaving them unfinished. Also paintings by artists from the 16th century, including Granacci and Andrea del Sarto can be found here.
Close-up details of the David statue | Photo: Unsplash, Taylor Smith - CC-BY-SA 2.0
The gallerys famous wing
Across the Galleria dei Grigioni the Tribuna del David stratches where 16th century artworks are displayed. For this wing artists who were influenced by Michelangelo's life and works were chosen they also represent the former cultural influence. Among them are Francesco Salviati, Agnolo Bronzino and Alessandro Allori. The eye-catcher of this room is obviously the famous sculpture of Michelangelo the statue of David.
David statue at the Galleria dell'Accademia | Photo: Ulmon, - CC-BY-SA 2.0
Crowd puller: The statue of David
The sculpture was originally envisioned as part of the 12 statues by Donatello series which which were to be placed on the buttresses of Florence Cathedral. The marble had already passed through the hands of artists Agostino di Duccio and Antonio Rossellino until finally Michelangelo was given the task of completing it. He worked for 2 years on the artwork which weighs 6 tons today. It quickly became apparent that a statue of this size and weight could never be placed on the roof of the cathedral - for this reason the David statue was initially placed at the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio. Michelangelo's David stood at the Piazza della Signoria since its completion in 1504 and was then moved to the Tribuna after its finalization. Only in 1882 the statue was again accessible to public as a part of the Galleria dell'Accademia.
Gipsoteca at the Galleria dell'Accademia | Photo: Unsplash, Ruiqi Kong - CC-BY-SA 2.0
From plaster to marble
In the Gipsoteca fine plaster models of the 19th century can be admired. These were created by Lorenzo Bartolini and Luigi Pampaloni and served as templates for the final marble statues. After a year and a half of renovations the room now not only blazes in new color (Accademia Blue) but has been rearranged also.
Close up of a viola | Photo: Unsplash, Johanna Vogt - CC-BY-SA 2.0
Music makes your heart beat faster?
If you are interested in classical music this is the ideal place for you! The Strumenti musicali displays over 50 instruments: from string and wind instruments, harpsichords to the early forms of the piano. Needless to mention that the only remaining viola by Antonio Stradivari from 1690 is the center piece of this exhibition. Get yourself the audio guide to find out more about the instruments' characteristics and even hear their sound.
The oldest treasures of the gallery
Florentine Gothic paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries span across three rooms: Sala di Pacino, Sala di Giotto e Giotteschi and Sala degli Orcagna. Displayed artists include Pacino di Bonaguida and Bernardo Daddi. The Sala di Pacino exhibits the oldest works of art in the Galleria dell'Accademia which are painted on wood. The latest renovation included a repainting of this showroom, now the golden decorations and artworks stand out even more on the Giotto green walls.
One floor higher
On the second floor of the Galleria dell'Accademia, the exhibition Lorenzo Monaco e il tardo Gotico extends over three rooms. The artists exhibited there include Jacopo di Cione and Don Silvestro dei Gherarducci. In these exhibition rooms one gets a sense of the socio-economic and religious values of the Florentine past, magnificent altarpieces can be also admired here.
David statue from a different angle | Photo: Unsplash, Harold Wainwright - CC-BY-SA 2.0
Galleria dell'Accademia shines in new light
To celebrate 140 years when the statue of David was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia in 1882 to protect it from damage, the gallery shines since 2022 in new splendor. The extensive renovation includes air conditioning and new wall colors, as well as an LED lighting system which now put the artworks in the spotlight. Especially the David statue stands here out as the lighting mimics daylight to highlight the sculpture's surface. This innovative illumination also gives paintings a new appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest possible admission time?
The last admission to the Galleria dell'Accademia will be at 18:20 pm. Read more.
Is the museum barrier-free accessible?
The gallery features an elevator and is fully accessible for guests with disabilities. Read more.
Is it allowed to carry bags and backpacks during the tour?
Small bags as well as backpacks may be taken into the museum. The gallery does not have storage facilities which means that large luggage such as suitcases cannot be dropped off. Read more.
How much does the audio guide cost?
The audio guide costs an additional 5 € per person. Read more.
Is it allowed to take pictures and videos of the gallery?
For personal purposes videos and photos may be taken inside the Galleria dell'Accademia. It is strictly forbidden to take photos with a flash, nor are selfie sticks allowed Read more.
Can I sketch inside the gallery?
Sketching with pencil and paper is allowed as long as visitors are not obstructing the pathways for others. No other materials are allowed, especially paints of different kinds. Photography is also permitted, but only without the use of flash, and selfie-sticks and other pieces of equipment aren’t allowed inside the museum. Read more.
General information
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address
Via Ricasoli, 58/60
50122 Florence
Italy
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Written byMiriam DewamMiriam is keen on traveling and has a passion for photography, which she can enhance through her cross-media studies. She uses her knowledge as well as first hand experience from diverse travels to help other travellers as a content creator at TicketLens.
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