Galleria dell'Accademia

The Galleria dell'Accademia is essentially a one-masterpiece museum: Michelangelo's David, carved 1501–1504 from a single 17-tonne block of Carrara marble that had been abandoned by two previous sculptors. The 5.17 m statue was commissioned for the cathedral roof but was deemed too perfect to put up there — it stood in front of Palazzo Vecchio from 1504 to 1873, then was moved indoors to protect it. The Accademia opened in 1784 as Europe's first state-funded art school.

The hall leading up to David contains Michelangelo's four unfinished "Prisoners" / Slaves — half-carved figures that look like they are struggling out of the marble. They were meant for Pope Julius II's tomb in Rome but were abandoned in 1535. The museum also holds Botticelli's Madonna del Mare, the Salone dell'Ottocento with 19th-century plaster casts, and a small musical-instrument collection with one of the world's oldest pianofortes (1722).

Standard ticket €16 in 2026; timed entry online is mandatory in high season (Apr–Oct). Allow 75 minutes. Closed Mondays. The museum is small — without a booking you wait 1–2 hours; with one you walk straight in. After David, walk five minutes to the Duomo or seven minutes to Piazza San Marco for the Fra Angelico convent frescoes.