Explore Accademia Gallery | Museum Halls, Collection, History & More
Accademia Gallery | Quick Facts
- Also Known as: The Galleria dell'Accademia or Gallery of the Academy of Florence
- Location: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy
- Date of Opening: 1784
- Entrances: Accademia Gallery has only one entrance that is used by all visitors.
- The Number of Visitors Annually: The Accademia Gallery is the second-most-visited art museum in Italy (after the Uffizi). In 2016, it had 1.46 million visitors.
- Collection size: Roughly 1,500 works of art
Plan Your Visit to Accademia Gallery
Address: Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50122 Florence, Italy
The Accademia Gallery is located on the north side of Florence near the Piazza Di San Marco.
Nearest Train Station: SMN Train Station (1km)
Directions to Accademia Gallery
Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 AM to 7:15 PM
Last Entry: 6:15 PM
Closed: The Accademia Gallery is closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December.
Best Time to Visit Accademia GalleryExplore the Halls of the Accademia Gallery
There are 7 major museum halls at the Accademia
Hall of the Colossus
This part of the museum is named after the ancient plaster casts that are housed here. The first thing to see here are the works of Domenico Ghirlandaio, Filippino Lippi, Paolo Uccello, Perugino, and Botticelli, which you will find on the wall of the entrance itself. On the wall to the left, you will find six exhibits of 15th-century altarpieces that elaborate on the development of the Florentine School of Art. On your right, you will find Giambologna’s plaster cast surrounded by three immensely intricate altarpieces created by Perugino, Raffaellino del Garbo, and Filippino Lippi.
Hall of the Prisoners
Michelangelo's four unfinished male nude sculptures, Prisoners or Slaves is the focal point in this room. Commissioned in 1505 to be a part of a spectacular tomb for Pope Julius II Della Rovere, the work on these sculptures was stopped halfway through due to financial restraints. They were then left out of the plan and thus, remained in Florence. These sculptures are considered to be some of Michelangelo's most expressive works, as they depict human figures struggling to break free from the stone. The hall is dimly lit to create a dramatic atmosphere and draw attention to the intricate details of the sculptures.
The Tribune
Designed by the architect Giuseppe Martelli in the late 18th century, the Tribune is arguably the most popular hall inside the museum. The room was created specifically to house the David, which used to stand out in the open at Piazza Della Signoria from 1504, until the 1850s.
Considered to be one of the greatest masterpieces of Renaissance art, the 17 feet tall marble statue depicts the biblical hero David before his battle with Goliath. Inside the room, David can be found surrounded by works of some of the greatest artists, such as Donatello, Bronzino, and Giambologna.
View Michelangelo's David
Gipsoteca Bartolini
An integral part of the Accademia Gallery in Florence since 1784, the Gipsoteca Bartolini was created for the students of the Fine Arts Academy. Lorenzo Bartolini, one of the leading professors at the academy, contributed a significant portion of his artwork for the hall. The collection includes plaster models by Bartolini and Luigi Pampaloni, including the Nymph and the Scorpion, Maddalena Penitente, and Ercole e Lica, providing a unique glimpse into the creative process of one of the most important sculptural families of the 19th century and showcases the evolution of Florentine art from the days of New-classicism and Romanticism
Florentine Gothic
The Accademia Gallery's ground floor concludes with three rooms dedicated to the Giottesque painters and Orcagna and his siblings. The oldest artworks of the gallery, dating back to the 13th century, are housed in the first room. The second room showcases the works of Giotto's followers, who aimed to reintroduce nature into art. Finally, the last room displays the artworks of the di Cione brothers, Andrea, Nardo, Matteo, and Jacopo, as well as some restored pieces. This hall offers visitors the chance to witness the evolution of Florentine art from the pre-Renaissance era to the early 14th century.
Museum Of Musical Instruments
The Museum of Musical Instruments has over fifty musical instruments that were once an indispensable part of the Medicean court. This collection includes string and wind instruments, harpsichords, and early forms of the piano like the ‘pianoforte’. a 16th-century spinet, and a rare viola da gamba. The museum also features interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to hear the sound of some of the instruments in the collection. As you tour the hall, you will be privy to the amount of work that went into creating these instruments and gain an insight into the way musical instruments have evolved over time.
Hall of the Late Gothic
Located on the first floor of the Accademia Gallery in Florence, the hall features a collection of late 14th-century art, focusing on the local religious and spiritual practices during that time. The hall has undergone recent modifications to make it more appealing to visitors. The highlight of the hall is the art commissioned by the Florentine Guilds, which played a significant role in the society of the era. The altarpieces in the hall are particularly noteworthy for their intricate Gothic architecture. Visitors can gain insight into the art and culture of late Gothic Florence as they explore this hall.
Collection at the Accademia Gallery
The Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze is a must-visit spot for art lovers, featuring masterpieces by famous artists like Michelangelo, Giambologna, Lorenzo Bartolini, and his pupil Luigi Pampaloni in The Gipsoteca (loosely meaning training hall). Additionally, the gallery houses pristinely preserved musical antiques donated by the grand dukes of Tuscany, the Medicis, and Lorraines.
The Rape of the Sabines, by Giambologna
Plaster Casts, by Lorenzo Bartolini
Tree of Life, by Pacino di Buonaguida
Coronation of the Virgin with Saints, by by Giovanni di Marco
Book Accademia Gallery Tickets and Tours
Frequently Asked Questions About the Accademia Gallery in Florence
A. The Accademia Gallery is a renowned gallery of art in Florence. It contains sculptures, paintings, historical records, and a collection of musical instruments from the renaissance and medieval periods. Its most famous work is ‘David’ by Michelangelo.
A. Yes, entry to the Accademia Gallery requires you to purchase tickets.
A. You can purchase tickets for the Accademia Gallery online. View our tickets and select the one most suitable for your needs.
A. The Accademia Gallery in Florence is a gallery of international repute. It houses a significant collection of art, including iconic works such as Michelangelo's David , which allows visitors to witness the evolution of Florentine art from the pre-Renaissance era to the early 14th century.
A. The Gallery of the Academy of Florence was founded in 1789 by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo as a display of didactic sculptures for students of fine arts to learn from.
A. The Accademia Gallery can be found on the north side of the historic city center of Florence near the Piazza Di San Marco.
A. You can choose to see a number of famous sculptures, paintings, musical instruments, and historical archives. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the statue David and Slaves by Michelangelo.
A. The Accademia Gallery is open between 8:15 AM to 7:15 PM from Tuesday to Sunday. The last entry to the gallery is 6:15 PM.
A. The Accademia Gallery is closed on 1st January, 1st May, 25th December and on all Mondays.
