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-
Sun 8:15-17:30, closed Mon, Via Ricasoli 105 red—see map on here ) ; or the Uffizi's door
#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
companies on here ) .
Sights North of the Arno River
North of the Duomo (Cathedral)
▲▲▲
▲▲▲ Accademia (Galleria dell'Accademia)
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
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