In this 3.5-hour walk with an art historian, we will follow the career of Michelangelo, discussing his early years and career under the patronage of the Medici family while viewing key works in the Bargello Museum and Accademia Gallery.

This tour is designed to give us a chance to explore in depth the work and artistic legacy of Michelangelo, whose impact on the Florentine Renaissance and art history in general cannot be overstated. We’ll begin at the Casa Buonarroti, a house purchased by the artist for his family, now converted into a small museum of drawings and early sculptures. Here, in this relatively unknown museum, we will spend some time laying out the important themes that resonate through his work. Next, we move to the Bargello Museum, a former Medieval-era prison, which contains one of the most important sculpture collections in the world. We’ll pick through the vast holdings to view several of Michelangelo's works, including the Bacchus. We will also spend some time with the works of other, related artists, in order to try to develop the context that surrounded Michelangelo's work. 

Lastly, we will move on to the Galleria dell'Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's masterpiece and consummate symbol of the Florentine Renaissance, the Statue of David. As we bask in its aura, we’ll examine this important statue and related works and wrap up our tour by discussing Michelangelo's later career in Rome, culminating in the painting of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

Want to see more Renaissance masterpieces? Try our Uffizi Tour.

For a more detailed look at this period of history through the lens of social history try our Renaissance History Walking Tour.

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Our small group tours cover many of the same itineraries as our private tours, but they place you with other travelers in groups of 6 or less. They operate on a pre-scheduled calendar, and are designed to provide an opportunity to engage with and learn from other travelers. Most of our small group tours require at least three (3) participants to run, although there is some variation from walk to walk. However, there is some variation from walk to walk. As you sign up for a tentative walk we display the minimum number required in order to confirm.