Guided Tours Accademia | Accademia Gallery Tours

About your tour

Our Guided Tours of the Accademia are a customer favourite - Visit Florence and experience the Accademia Gallery, and your guide will enlighten you with its historical works, and introduce you to the home of the statue of David. This art gallery has really only been “discovered” in recent years, always sitting in the shadow of the more famous Uffizi, and is now especially known for its sculptures by Michelangelo, and also hosts a lot of important exhibitions. Italy With Us offer experienced and knowledgeable guides for group and private tours of the Accademia Museum Florence.

Founded in 1563 by one of the world's great patrons of the arts, Cosimo I de' Medici, the Accademia was a combination of the 'Company' a working guild for professional artists and the 'Academy', a school housing the great artist of the time who worked and supervised artistic production.

In 1784 these schools were combined into one institution The Accademia di Belle Arti we know today. The Accademia Gallery Tour takes in not only the world famous 'David' (the real David - the statue now in the original location on Piazza della Signoria was replaced by a replica in 1873 when the work was moved to the gallery for safekeeping) one of Michelangelo's most famous masterpieces, but also showcases what Florence is probably most famous for, 15^th and 16^th century renaissance art.

Being the first European school of arts so to speak, its influence on one of the greatest periods of European culture cannot be underestimated. The Florentine patronage of great artists was one of the physical catalysts that began this cultural 'snowball' effect, as great painters and sculptors were drawn to the city and their influence on younger creative minds led to an explosion of creative talent and production.

Top tour highlights

HIGHLIGHT 1

Hall of the Colosssus

The Hall of the Colossus contains paintings dating back to the 15^th and 16^th century from Florentine churches, by artists such as Paolo Uccello, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, and Perugino. The hall also includes a central plaster model by Giambologna for the Rape of the Sabines.

HIGHLIGHT 2

Hall of the Prisoners

The Hall of the Prisoners is home to the unfinished statues of Michelangelo, and takes its name from four large sculptures known as the Prisoners, Slaves, or Captives.

HIGHLIGHT 3

The Tribune of David

The Tribune is home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, along with other 16^th century artists including Cecchino Salviati, Bronzino, and Allori amongst many other important works of art.

HIGHLIGHT 4

Hall of the Musical Instruments

Hall of the Musical Instruments is host to about 50 musical instruments belonging to the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory from the Grand Ducal collection.