The Accademia in Florence in 2 hours: the complete route
Quick answer
At the Accademia in Florence you can see David and the essentials in 1 hour and the whole museum in 2 hours at an easy pace. The route runs: Hall of the Colossus, the Prisoners' hall, the Tribune of David, 15th-century Florentine painting, and the musical instruments museum.
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The route: 7 stops
The museum often moves works because of loans or restoration; the plan at the entrance is the reference. Timings are a guide and include walking.
- 1
0:00 · Hall of the Colossus (entrance)
Hall of the Colossus: Giambologna and painting
Start in the first large room, with Giambologna's plaster model for The Rape of the Sabine Women and 16th-century Florentine painting. A good warm-up before the main event.
- 2
0:15 · Hall of the Prisoners
The four Prisoners (Michelangelo)
The slaves or prisoners, conceived for Pope Julius II's tomb, seem to emerge from the marble. Notice the chisel marks: you can see Michelangelo's method of 'taking away'. At the far end, St Matthew, another unfinished figure.
- 3
0:30 · Tribune of David
David (Michelangelo)
Give it 20 minutes. Walk around the sculpture: from the front he looks calm, but the tense neck and the veins in the hand show the instant before the fight with Goliath. Michelangelo began carving him aged 26.
- 4
0:55 · Around the Tribune
The Palestrina Pietà
An unfinished sculpted group long attributed to Michelangelo; the attribution is now disputed. Worth a glance for its expressive force.
- 5
1:05 · 15th-century painting rooms
Florentine painting: Botticelli and the Adimari Cassone
In the painting rooms you will find Botticelli (Madonna of the Sea) and the famous Adimari Cassone, a 15th-century Florentine wedding scene full of period costume and buildings.
- 6
1:25 · Gothic painting rooms
Gothic painting and gold grounds
Gold-ground altarpieces by Giotto's followers. A useful contrast with the realism of the 15th century.
- 7
1:40 · Musical Instruments Museum
Musical instruments
Finish with the collection of instruments from the Medici court, including historic violins and violas. It is the quietest part of the museum.
Tips to make the most of it
- Enter at 8:15: the Tribune of David is nearly empty for the first 20 minutes.
- You do not need to reserve more than 2 hours; 1 hour 15 minutes covers David and the Prisoners at a comfortable pace.
- Large backpacks must go in the cloakroom; confirm the rules at the entrance.
- With the AnyArt camera you can identify any work not on this list and hear its story.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Accademia in 2 hours?
Yes, with time to spare: in 1 hour you see David, the Prisoners and the essentials; in 2 hours you also cover the painting and musical instruments.
What about 1 hour?
Prioritise the Prisoners, David in the Tribune and the Hall of the Colossus. That is about 60 minutes including walking.
Where is David inside the museum?
In the Tribune, at the end of the Prisoners' hall. It is the central room of the museum.
Is it worth going on the free Sunday?
Only if you do not mind queuing: on the first Sunday of the month the wait can be very long and there is no advance booking.