What To Know Before You Visit The Accademia Gallery And The Top three Must-See Works
On my first trip to Europe, I was thrilled to explore some of the most renowned museums in the world. Although I had visited many museums in New York City, I was eager to witness the art and decor of European museums.
During my seven-day stay in Italy, I had the chance to visit three historic museums: the Vatican Museums and Galleries, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Accademia Gallery.
To avoid getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of artworks in these three museums (I was super overwhelmed when I visited each one), I suggest first focusing on the must-see pieces. This way, you can make the most of your time.
Even though the Accademia Gallery is small and many visit only to see the Statue of David, other works are worth seeing at this museum.
Some History
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The Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) houses a collection of 15th—and 16th-century paintings, 13th—16th-century Tuscan paintings, and Michelangelo's Statue of David.
Florence’s second most visited museum was founded in 1784 by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Pietro Leopoldo and is home to the world's largest number of Michelangelo sculptures.
how to enter the Accademia Gallery
Florence is just a 90-minute high-speed train ride from Rome, making planning a day or two-day trip to this beautiful city easy. However, getting tickets to this museum is not possible.
Long story short, I was supposed to be traveling to Paris instead of Rome, but I had to change my itinerary six days before I was due to leave. Getting tickets to other museums and sites was easy, but Accademia Gallery tickets were sold out.
After freaking out at the possibility of not seeing the Statue of David, I looked into a third party for tickets, and they had A BUNCH of tickets.
My entry time was around 11 a.m., and I needed to pick up my tickets in person. Due to heavy crowding on the streets, it was very difficult to find the ticketing office. It was on the left side of the crowd, and there were two different offices. I believe one was for same-day tickets, and the other was for pick-up.
Unlike the Uffizi Gallery, they ran behind schedule and were not strict with admission times. It was very crowded and chaotic, so it didn’t surprise me that this affected admission times.
3 must-see works At The Accademia Gallery
1. Coronation of the Virgin by Jacopo di Cione
DATE: 1372
This painting, also known as the 'Altarpiece of the Mint,' was restored in 2011 and originally commissioned by the magistrates of the Mint in 1372.
My photo doesn't do justice to how beautiful and shiny the painting is. It features heavy gold embellishments and appears to glow.
2. abduction of Sabine women
DATE: 1579-1583
When you first enter the small museum, the first artwork that you will encounter is a sculpture carved from a single block of marble. It portrays a man lifting a woman in the air in a serpent-like movement, while another man crouches beneath them.
I suggest taking a walk around this statue as there is something to observe from every angle.
3. David by Michelangelo
DATE: 1501-1504
The museum's masterpiece is Michelangelo's Statue of David. At 26, he carved this incredible sculpture from a single block of marble that other artists had neglected. The statue stands 17 feet tall and weighs almost 12,500 pounds.
The level of detail in this work of art is astonishing, from the veins in his hands and arms to the muscle definition in his legs and abs. I was amazed to learn that you can walk behind the statue to get a 360-degree view and appreciate every detail Michelangelo put into sculpting David. That was when I discovered that he wore a sash.
accademia Gallery Tips
BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE
I cannot stress this enough. The last thing you want to do is spend hours waiting to get into the museum and have limited time to view all these incredible works of art.
You can try to book tickets on the official website, or you can book tours using my Viator Affiliate Link!
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How Much Time?
Allow at least 90 minutes for your visit.
CHECK POLICIES
Check the website for the current prohibited items, bags, photography, and filming policies.
Best Time To Visit?
I visited on a Wednesday at the end of March, and it was not that crowded, as it was not Spring break time. I recommend visiting during this time of year.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Please be patient when visiting the museum. During my visit, I encountered some very impatient people who questioned why the museum was located where it was as if it had been built in the last decade and not in 1784.
Please note that the museum is small, and for safety reasons, only a limited number of people can be allowed inside at once. Therefore, please do not be a nuisance to the staff or other guests.
It's important to remember that the museum was built hundreds of years ago, and the builders could not have predicted that millions of people worldwide would one day flock to see the Statue of David every year.
I'm Andrea, a travel content creator from NYC. If you are considering visiting the world's most sought-after travel destinations and need tips and recommendations or are looking for the latest film reviews, you are in the right place. Join me as I share my passion for cinema and exploration.