Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Galleria dell'Accademia
MAP
ART GALLERY
GOOGLE MAP
( www.polomuseale.firenze.it ; Via Ricasoli 60; adult/reduced €6.50/3.25; 8.15am-6.50pm Tue-Sun) A
lengthy queue marks the door to this gallery, built to house one of the Renaissance's
greatest masterpieces, Michelangelo's original David. Fortunately, the world's most fam-
ous statue is worth the wait. The subtle detail of the real thing - the veins in his sinewy
arms, the leg muscles, the change in expression as you move around the statue - is im-
pressive.
Carved from a single block of marble already worked on by two sculptors before him
(both of whom gave up), Michelangelo's most famous work was also his most challenging
- he didn't choose the marble himself, it was veined and its larger-than-life dimensions
were already decided.
And when the statue of the nude boy-warrior, depicted for the first time as a man in the
prime of life rather than a young boy, assumed its pedestal in front of Palazzo Vecchio on
Piazza della Signoria in 1504, Florentines immediately adopted it as a powerful emblem
of Florentine power, liberty and civic pride.
Michelangelo was also the master behind the unfinished San Matteo (St Matthew;
1504-08) and four Prigioni (' Prisoners' or 'Slaves'; 1521-30), also displayed in the gal-
lery. The Prisoners seem to be writhing and struggling to free themselves from the marble;
they were meant for the tomb of Pope Julius II, itself never completed. Adjacent rooms
contain paintings by Andrea Orcagna, Taddeo Gaddi, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Filippino
Lippi and Sandro Botticelli.
Museo di San Marco
MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
( www.polomuseale.firenze.it ; Piazza San Marco 1; adult/reduced €4/2; 8.15am-1.20pm Mon-Fri, to
4.20pm Sat & Sun, closed 1st, 3rd & 5th Sun & 2nd & 4th Mon of month) At the heart of Florence's
university area sits the Chiesa di San Marco and adjoining 15th-century Dominican monas-
tery where both gifted painter Fra' Angelico (c 1395-1455) and the sharp-tongued Savon-
arola piously served God. Today the monastery showcases the work of Fra' Angelico. It is
one of Florence's most spiritually uplifting museums.
Enter via Michelozzo's Cloister of Saint Antoninus (1440). Turn immediately right to enter
the Sala dell'Ospizio (Pilgrims' Hospital) where Fra' Angelico's attention to perspective and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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