Florence is the heart of Italy’s Renaissance art scene, and you’ll struggle to find a spot more loaded with legendary artwork than the Accademia Gallery. Michelangelo, Botticelli, Giambologna – these are just a few of the artists whose works fill out the rooms. Mattia, one of our local expert guides, says “the gallery isn’t the biggest in Florence, but its collection is hard to comprehend. I challenge anyone not to be speechless the first time they see Michelangelo’s David in the flesh.”
After meeting up with your guide and entering the gallery, you’ll start your visit with a tour of the Medici family’s collection. This powerful dynasty became a household name in Florence back in the 15th century, where they were originally a banking family before moving into politics. As you can imagine, they amassed some pretty incredible collectibles, including the most expensive violin in the world and the oldest piano around – you’ll see both during your tour.
From here, you’ll head into the Tribuna di De Fabris, a portion of the gallery that’s all about Michelangelo. You’ll know him best from his masterpiece in the Vatican, the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. But he wasn’t a one-trick pony. He originally trained a sculptor, and the Accademia Gallery is home to his most famous marble creation, the statue of David. Your guide, who’s an expert in Renaissance art, will tell you all about the life of Michelangelo and the intricacies of working with Carrara marble, which was used to craft this iconic artwork.
