One of Florence’s most iconic and impressive works is the David by Michelangelo, a masterpiece of the Renaissance period. The sculpture depicts the biblical hero in exquisite anatomical detail and is considered one of the greatest works of art of all time.
If you’re planning a visit to Florence, seeing the original David by Michelangelo in person should be at the top of your list. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting the statue, including how to get tickets, the best time to visit, and other useful tips.
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Where’s the David?
David, or Davi in Italian, is one of the most famous sculptures created by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo. The work depicts the biblical hero with impressive anatomical realism and is considered one of the most important works of the Renaissance and of Michelangelo’s own oeuvre.
The original David by Michelangelo is located in Florence, Italy, the city that commissioned the sculpture. However, there are actually three statues of David by Michelangelo in Florence, with only one being the original masterpiece.
Two of the statues are copies, one located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria, and the other in Piazzale Michelangelo. None of the copies, however, can match the beauty and grandeur of the original.
Read: The best hotels for art lovers in Florence
Where’s the real David in Florence?
The original David by Michelangelo is a 5.17-meter-high marble statue created by Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Due to the genius attributed to the work, it was chosen as the ultimate symbol of the Republic of Florence. Michelangelo spent three years completing the sculpture, starting in 1501 and finishing it in 1504, revealing it on September 8th.
Before Michelangelo was commissioned to create the sculpture, the block of Carrara marble that he used had been exposed to the elements for 25 years in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The marble block had been damaged to the point of decreasing in size. Other sculptors had been commissioned to create the work but, for various reasons, were not interested. This block had been rejected by great masters such as Duccio, Baccelino, and Roselino.
In this work, Michelangelo is considered an innovator, as he portrays the character not after the battle against Goliath (as Donatello and Verrochio did before him), but at the moment immediately before it, when David is just preparing to face a force that everyone believed was impossible to defeat. Michelangelo used the realism of the nude body and the predominance of curved lines in this work.
The David by Michelangelo remained in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria until 1873, when it was moved to the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, where it can be admired today.
How to see Michelangelo’s original David in Florence
Eager to witness one of the world’s most iconic masterpieces? The magnificent David by Michelangelo awaits at the esteemed Galleria dell’Accademia (in English, the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence). Ensure your entrance by securing a ticket in advance.
Michelangelo’s David Online Booking Tips
Below you’ll find the information for booking through the official retailer with a non-refundable reservation policy:
| Category | Price | Online Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | €13.00 | buy here |
| Reduced (EU youth 18-25 years) | €3.00 | buy here |
| 0-17 years | €0.00 | buy here |
Please note: Online reservations carry a nominal fee of €3-4.
For flexible travel plans, consider purchasing your tickets via Get Your Guide, where a free cancellation policy typically extends up to 24 hours prior to the designated entry date.
Another possibility is to book a group tour that already includes tickets in the price of the tour.
Book a group tour to see Michelangelo’s David (available for purchase on Get Your Guide)
Experience Michelangelo’s David at No Cost in Florence:
Immerse yourself in culture without stretching your budget! Thanks to the Italian Ministry of Culture’s initiative, #domenicalmuseo, every first Sunday of the month offers free access to the Galleria dell’Accademia. While this golden opportunity doesn’t permit advance reservations, early birds or late afternoon arrivals can dodge the longer queues. Witness the magnificence of David without the price tag, and dive deep into Italy’s rich artistic heritage.
The best time to visit the David by Michelangelo
Opening hours are from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 am to 6:50 pm.
The gallery is closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.
The lines to visit the original David by Michelangelo are always long, especially during the period between April and October. To avoid queues and crowds, it is recommended to visit the David early in the morning or late in the day when day-trippers have not yet arrived or have already left the city. However, during the high season, it is highly recommended to book in advance as tickets may be sold out at the time
In conclusion, the David by Michelangelo is an iconic masterpiece of the Renaissance, famous for its anatomical accuracy and innovation in portraying the character before the battle. Despite there being copies of the statue, only the original can truly showcase Michelangelo’s genius and artistic mastery, and it remains a must-see for art lovers visiting Florence.
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