GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA

The story begins in 1563 when Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, founded the first art academy in Europe, named Accademia delle Arti del Disegno (Academy of Drawing in Florence). Michelangelo was one of its first teachers. This shows the quality of the teaching! In 1784, Leopold II (son of Francis I and Maria Theresa) decided to add a museum, the Galleria dell'Accademia, adjacent to the Academy of Drawing, whose purpose was to provide students with examples of historical works for study.

Today, the Accademia Gallery still houses important paintings representing four centuries of the Tuscan school, including works by Botticelli, Perugino, Filippino Lippi, Andrea del Sarto... The gallery is also famous for its statues by Michelangelo, such as the one of St. Matthew, never finished, the Pietà of Palestrina or the four slaves that the artist sculpted for the mausoleum of Julius II, pope from 1503 to 1513. It also houses the Museum of Musical Instruments, which exhibits the immense collection of Grand Prince Ferdinand de' Medici, including the famous violin of Antonio Stradivarius.

The museum is world famous because it houses Michelangelo's famous statue of David, which once stood in the Piazza della Signoria, created by the artist when he was only 26 years old, and whose timeless beauty has become the symbol of Florence. However, in the early sixteenth century, when the religious power was influential, the nudity and virility of the hero caused a scandal in the city. The statue represents the famous biblical character of David, second king of Israel (understand the freedom of the Republic of Florence), with a sling in his hand, just before his fight against Goliath (understand the despotic power of the Medici). A colossus weighing more than five tons and standing more than five meters tall, this sculpture of white Carrara marble by Michelangelo, considered THE masterpiece of the Renaissance, captivates all eyes.

In 2022, after more than two years of work, a new wing was opened to the public: the Gipsoteca, which brings together 400 busts, sculptures and bas-reliefs, mainly by Lorenzo Bartolini, the great Italian sculptor of the 19th century.

Tips for visiting. Like the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery attracts many visitors throughout the year. To avoid long lines, we recommend buying your ticket online (at an additional cost) or arriving early at the opening.