Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tion fee. The city's official site (
www.firenzemusei.it
)
is only €4, but it's troublesome and
not user-friendly.
•
Reserve in Florence:
Try to score a same-day reservation (€4) at the booking window
at Orsanmichele Church (daily 10:00-17:00, along Via de' Calzaiuoli—see location on
map on
here
); the My Accademia Libreria bookstore across from the Accademia (Tue-
#2—skirt to the left of the long ticket-buying line (Tue-Sun 8:15-18:35).
•
Private Tour:
Take a tour that includes your museum admission (see listings of tour
WhenyoulookintotheeyesofMichelangelo'smagnificentsculptureof
David
,you'relook-
ing into the eyes of Renaissance Man.
In 1501, Michelangelo Buonarroti, a 26-year-old Florentine, was commissioned to carve
a large-scale work. The figure comes from a Bible story. The Israelites are surrounded by
barbarian warriors, whoareledbyabrutish giant named Goliath. Whenthegiant challenges
the Israelites to send out someone to fight him, a young shepherd boy steps forward. Armed
only with a sling, David defeats the giant. This 17-foot-tall symbol of divine victory over
evil represents a new century and a whole new Renaissance outlook.
Originally,
David
wasmeanttostandontherooflineoftheDuomo,butwasplacedmore
prominently at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio (where a copy stands today). In the 19th
century,
David
was moved indoors for his own protection, and stands under a wonderful
Renaissance-style dome designed just for him.
Nearby are some of the master's other works, including his powerful (unfinished)
Pris-
oners, St. Matthew,
and a
Pietà
(possibly by one of his disciples). Florentine Michelangelo
Buonarroti, who would work tirelessly through the night, believed that the sculptor was a
tool of God, responsible only for chipping away at the stone until the intended sculpture
emerged.Beyondthemagicmarblearesomemildlyinterestingpre-RenaissanceandRenais-
sance paintings, including a couple of lighter-than-air Botticellis, the plaster model of Gi-
ambologna's
Rape of the Sabine Women,
and a musical instrument collection with an early
piano.
CostandHours:
€6.50,upto€11withmandatoryexhibits,plus€4reservationfee;Tue-
Sun 8:15-18:50, closed Mon, last entry 30 minutes before closing; no photos, Via Ricasoli