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Gallery of the Academy of Florence
2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

9.5
4.5/5
568 reviews

The Gallery of the Academy of Florence was established in 1784 by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of Tuscany through the reorganization of Florence's art education institutions. It is located on the former sites of the San Matteo Hospital and the San Niccolò Monastery, with its origins tracing back to the Academy of Drawing Arts founded by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1563. The gallery's collection initially served as a teaching resource for students to copy original works. In 1873, to protect Michelangelo's David from exposure to the elements in Piazza della Signoria, the statue was secured on a wooden cart and transported through the center of Florence to the gallery. As the dedicated exhibition hall was not yet completed, it remained sealed in a wooden crate for nine years until the Tribune of David, designed by architect Emilio De Fabris, was finished and opened to the public. Today, David stands bathed in natural light from the skylight above, drawing countless visitors who come specifically to see it. The museum also displays a concentrated collection of Michelangelo's four unfinished sculptures, "The Prisoners," originally carved for Pope Julius II's tomb, along with the equally incomplete "St. Matthew." The human figures appear to be breaking free from the rough stone, offering a direct experience of his "unfinished" sculptural language. At the center of the Hall of the Colossus near the entrance stands Giambologna's full-scale terracotta model for the marble group "The Rape of the Sabine Women," created for the Loggia dei Lanzi. Surrounding it are 15th- to 16th-century Florentine paintings by Botticelli, Perugino, Filippino Lippi, and others. The 19th-century hall, originally a women's hospital ward, now replicates the studio of Lorenzo Bartolini, displaying plaster models. The museum also houses a musical instruments section, featuring a Stradivari viola and cello once owned by the Medici family, as well as early keyboard instruments made by Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor of the piano. The visitor route extends from the Hall of the Colossus at the entrance to the Hall of David at the end. Most travelers turn back to the exit after seeing "David," leaving the painting galleries and the musical instrument department on both sides with sparse crowds, making them great places for quiet art viewing. The museum is not large and has a clear layout. Long queues at the entrance are common during the peak season, but the painting galleries and musical instrument exhibition areas are less crowded and worth visiting as well.

Italy · Florence
Borghese Gallery and Museum
No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Borghese Gallery and Museum

9.1
4.6/5
359 reviews

The Borghese Gallery and Museum was originally a 17th-century countryside villa built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in northern Rome. The villa and its collection were nationalized in the early 20th century and converted into a museum, still surrounded by extensive gardens today. The gallery is renowned for its Baroque marble sculptures and Renaissance to Baroque paintings, featuring masterpieces by Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and others, all displayed within this compact two-story building. The highlights on the first floor are almost all by the young Bernini: in room 2, "David" twists his entire body, frozen in the moment before releasing the stone; in room 3, "Apollo and Daphne" captures the fleeing maiden as her fingertips sprout laurel leaves; in room 4, "The******of Proserpina" shows Pluto's fingers sinking deep into the marble-carved flesh; while room 6's "Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius" was sculpted when he was just over twenty—the hard stone takes on the soft textures of skin, foliage, and drapery in these statues. Room 5 houses the "Sleeping Hermaphroditus," an ancient Roman copy of a Greek original, with the buttoned mattress beneath added by Bernini in 1620, so lifelike it could deceive; at the center of room 1 stands Canova's reclining statue of Napoleon's sister Pauline, the goddess holding a golden apple, with a hidden mechanism in the base allowing the entire sculpture to rotate. Don't rush through the entrance hall either—underfoot lies a 4th-century gladiator mosaic floor, while overhead is Mariano Rossi's ceiling fresco depicting Romulus being welcomed to Olympus to meet Jupiter. Gallery 7 features ancient Egyptian-style displays, while gallery 8 showcases original works by Caravaggio, including "David with the head of Goliath," "Sick Bacchus," and "Boy with a basket of fruit." The second floor is a gallery displaying a condensed history of Italian painting, with Titian's "Sacred and profane love" and "Venus blinding Cupid," Raphael's "The entombment," Correggio's "Danaë," Rubens' "Susanna and the elders," Cranach's "Venus and Cupid as honey thief," Botticelli's Madonna, and Pinturicchio's 1473 "Crucifixion" all lined up in sequence. The art museum has long implemented a reservation system with entry by time slot. Each slot is limited to 2 hrs with a capped number of visitors, and peak season quotas often get booked up well in advance—plan ahead to secure your spot. Once inside, consider focusing first on the Bernini sculptures on the first floor and Caravaggio's works in Hall 8, then leisurely head to the second floor for the paintings. Two hours is just enough to thoroughly cover the highlights.

Italy · Rome

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What travellers say about Italy

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@nightkymz8430 October 2026
5.0
Solo Traveller Review – Colosseum, Rome 🇮🇹An absolutely amazing experience visiting one of the world’s most iconic historical landmarks! As a solo traveller, being able to explore the Colosseum at my own pace made the experience even more special. The architecture, history and atmosphere are truly impressive, giving you a glimpse into the greatness of the Roman Empire.Definitely a must-visit when in Rome, especially for history lovers and anyone who appreciates ancient architecture. Walking around this magnificent monument is an unforgettable experience. Rome never disappoints!

Colosseum

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Anonymous user13 September 2026
5.0
Have been multiple times, it's worth returning once in a while. Stunning cathedral and view

Milan Cathedral

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Dreamer200227 October 2026
5.0
⛪ Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence 🇮🇹 — A Renaissance Wonder! ✨Visiting Florence’s magnificent cathedral, also known as the Duomo, was an unforgettable experience! ❤️ Its breathtaking marble façade, intricate details, and iconic red dome make it one of Italy’s most beautiful architectural masterpieces. 🏛️😍What impressed me most was Brunelleschi’s extraordinary dome, an engineering achievement that still inspires admiration centuries later. The atmosphere of Piazza del Duomo is equally magical, especially in the early morning. 🌅📸💡 Travel tip: Cathedral entry is free, but climbing the 463 steps to the dome requires a paid reservation. The panoramic views over Florence are absolutely spectacular! 🏙️❤️ A must-see destination where art, history, and Renaissance architecture come together beautifully!#Florence #SantaMariaDelFiore #DuomoDiFirenze #ItalyTravel

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

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Ekaterina Kolesnikova9 November 2026
5.0
One of the numerous iconic spots in Rome that is absolutely stunning and must be visited!Tips:always crowded, be prepared for lines especially at weekend Each last Sunday of the month the entrance is free

Pantheon

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Blessed by God28 September 2022
5.0
such a lovely place, the duomo or cathedral is very big that I cannot take a picture of the whole cathedral. Even if I have seen it several times I always love to visit and see it again and again.

Piazza del Duomo

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_We***6030 October 2026
5.0
Eva's explanations were witty, humorous, and easy to understand. She's an expert in Western art history, and none of my questions were stumped. We had a very pleasant and successful afternoon. The Uffizi is definitely worth visiting! Florence is so beautiful.

Uffizi Gallery

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冰语馨洁26 January 2026
5.0
Landmark Significance: As the city center of Milan, the square is an irregularly shaped polygon covering approximately 12,000 square meters. It was the coronation site of the first king after the unification of Italy (Napoleon was crowned here in 1805) and is now part of a World Heritage Site.

Piazza del Duomo

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Anonymous user24 October 2026
4.0
It is worth a visit if you want to see David and you are into Christianity painting, sculpture and stuffs

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

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Brent Joseph3 July 2026
5.0
Amazing gallery! Book early ahead of time. But it is one of the best things to do in Rome.

Borghese Gallery and Museum

Trip Moments in Italy

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Italy?

Don't miss these attractions in Italy: Colosseum, Milan Cathedral, and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. If you like Culture & history, try Pompeii: Flexible Entrance Ticket. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine in Florence.

You can give Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine in Florence and Florence Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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