Statue of David Tours
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The image of Michelangelo’s David statue, one of the world’s best-known works of art, is so ubiquitous in Florence that it has become a symbol of Italy’s Renaissance capital. Carved between 1501 and 1504 and installed at the custom-built Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) in 1873, the masterpiece also symbolizes strength and human beauty.
The Basics
Michelangelo’s statue of David is one of the most popular sights in Florence—if not the entire art world—and there are always long lines to enter the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) in high season. To avoid waiting for hours under the hot Florentine sun, it is essential either to book skip-the-line tickets in advance or to join a guided tour that includes gallery entrance tickets along with an explanation of this important masterpiece. Once you’re inside, admire the four unfinished statues by Michelangelo, known as the Slaves or Prisoners, lining the hall leading to the rotunda under which David holds court. Many Florence city tours include visits to the Uffizi Gallery, Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), and Accademia Gallery accompanied by an experienced tour guide, and small-group tours of the city center hit must-sees like Ponte Vecchio as well.
Things to Know Before You Go
Experiencing David is an absolute must for art lovers, Renaissance fans, and pretty much all first-time visitors to Florence.
Luggage, large bags, and backpacks are not allowed inside the gallery, and there is no coat or baggage check.
The gallery is entirely accessible to wheelchair users.
Luggage, large bags, and backpacks are not allowed inside the gallery, and there is no coat or baggage check.
The gallery is entirely accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Galleria dell’Accademia is located in the heart of Florence, an easy walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station, Duomo, and Piazza della Signoria.
When to Get There
Florence’s Accademia Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:15am to 6:50pm; final entry is at 6:20pm. The gallery is closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1, and December 25. The gallery is most crowded from late morning through the afternoon, so consider reserving a private tour with exclusive early morning access to enjoy the famous statue before the throngs of daily visitors arrive.
Inauspicious Beginnings
The statue of David has a fascinating history, and did not seem initially destined for greatness. The block of marble Michelangelo was given to work with was flawed and had already been partly carved by his predecessor. Nonetheless he carved David to adorn the Duomo, but the finished statue was too heavy to hoist onto the cathedral and was placed instead at the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria. Not long after the statue was unveiled here, rioters at an anti-Medici rebellion threw a chair out of a window directly onto David's arm, which broke in three places. In 1873, David was moved to the safety of the Accademia Gallery, and a replica—one of many—now marks the spot where the original once stood.
Address: Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Italy
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 8:15am until 6:50pm, with the last tickets sold at 6:20pm
Admission: Varies
Tours & Activities (7)
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$92.18 USD
Skip the Line: Florence Accademia and Uffizi Gallery Tour
- Skip the line to see two of Florence’s top museums, the Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery. Led by an expert guide, first pay homage to Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, heading straight inside with your priority access ticket. Roam the impressive collection of art and opt for an included lunch, if you wish, before heading to the Uffizi Gallery. There, avoid the crowds again with your skip-the-line ticket and enjoy a guided walking tour, pausing at Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and other Renaissance masterpieces.
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$65.84 USD
Skip The Line: Best of Florence Walking Tour including Accademia Gallery
- Skip the line to see Michelangelo’s 'David' at the Accademia Gallery before enjoying a 3-hour walking tour of Florence. Led by an expert guide, experience world-famous artwork and the Renaissance city’s top attractions, including the Florence Duomo (from outside) and the Ponte Vecchio. As you go, gain insight about Florentine art and architecture from your guide, with audio headsets provided so that you hear everything clearly. Numbers are limited to 25 on this tour to ensure a small-group experience.
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$34.72 USD
Skip the Line: Florence Accademia Gallery Tickets
- Enjoy direct access to Florence’s Accademia Gallery with this skip-the-line admission ticket. Explore the home of Michelangelo’s Renaissance masterpiece, the ‘David,’ and see the renowned sculpture up close. You’ll also have the chance to admire some of Michelangelo’s unfinished works, including ‘Prigioni,’ along with paintings by Sandro Botticelli and more.
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$45.49 USD
Skip-the-Line Florence Accademia Gallery Tour
- Skip the line to see Michelangelo’s 'David' on this 1-hour tour through the Accademia Gallery in Florence. Accompanied by an expert guide, head straight inside the world-famous museum with your priority access ticket and learn about the impressive collection of artwork inside. Witness Michelangelo’s masterpiece and hear about its fascinating history from your guide. You’ll also have the chance to check out the artist's unfinished 'Prigioni', as well as works by Renaissance greats like Lippi and Botticelli.
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$77.81 USD
Viator Exclusive: Early Access to the Accademia Gallery in Florence with Breakfast
- Be one of the first of the day to tour Florence’s Accademia Gallery, and finish with an Italian breakfast in a local cafe. It’s a Viator Exclusive tour that can’t be booked anywhere else! In a small group, limited to just 15, you’ll explore the famous gallery without the crowds, and learn about Michelangelo’s works from an art-historian guide. Swoon at the sculpture of ‘David,’ hear the history of ‘San Matteo’ and gain insight into the influential art of the Renaissance.
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$65.84 USD
Skip the Line: Small-Group Florence Renaissance Walking Tour with Accademia Gallery
- Skip the crowds and see the best of Florence on a 3-hour walking tour with priority admission to the Accademia Gallery. Led by an expert guide, explore the architectural gems of the Renaissance city while learning about important Florentine figures, such as the poet Dante Alighieri and the Medici family. Afterward, skip the long lines at the Accademia and head straight inside to witness Michelangelo’s ‘David’, as well as other impressive works of art. This tour is limited to 14 people to keep the experience intimate.
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$423.77 USD
3-Day Italy Trip: Florence and Pisa
- Visit two of Italy’s top destinations on this 3-day Rome to Pisa and Florence tour. You’ll head north of Rome by train into the region of Tuscany, a cultural hotspot known for its hills, art, history and food. Enjoy Florence’s wealth of paintings, sculptures, architecture and plazas, and admire Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower. Two nights of accommodation in Florence and round-trip train travel are included.
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