Tour Details
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Casa Buonarroti
- Museo del Bargello
- Michelangelo's David
- Michelangelo's Bacchus
- Accademia Gallery Florence
Tour Description
In this three-and-a-half-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, built by the artist's nephew on the land that previously belonged to Michelangelo, 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'll move to the Bargello Museum, a government office building and prison in Medieval times, which now hosts one of the most important sculpture collections in the world. We’ll explore the vast holdings and 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.
Please be informed that from October 18 until January 26, 2025, there will be an exhibition dedicated to Michelangelo at Palazzo Vecchio. The itinerary for this tour may vary slightly from what is outlined on this page due to the sculptures being temporarily loaned for the exhibition. Michelangelo's David at the Accademia will remain in its current location, so you will have the opportunity to see it during this tour. While this tour will not include a visit to the exhibition, we encourage you to visit it on your own during your stay in Florence.
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, built by the artist's nephew on the land that previously belonged to Michelangelo, 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'll move to the Bargello Museum, a government office building and prison in Medieval times, which now hosts one of the most important sculpture collections in the world. We’ll explore the vast holdings and 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.
Please be informed that from October 18 until January 26, 2025, there will be an exhibition dedicated to Michelangelo at Palazzo Vecchio. The itinerary for this tour may vary slightly from what is outlined on this page due to the sculptures being temporarily loaned for the exhibition. Michelangelo's David at the Accademia will remain in its current location, so you will have the opportunity to see it during this tour. While this tour will not include a visit to the exhibition, we encourage you to visit it on your own during your stay in Florence.
FAQ
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where do we meet? Where does the tour end?Â
We meet at Casa Buonarroti and end at the Galleria dell'Accademia. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.
What is the difference between Introduction to Florence with Michelangelo's David and Michelangelo in Florence Tour?Â
Both tours include a visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David. Introduction to Florence is a more general tour touching on all aspects of the Renaissance, while the Michelangelo Tour is a deep dive into the artist and his life.Â
Why do I need to purchase a ticket to Galleria dell’Accademia for my child? Â
Although admission is free for those under 18, you would have to wait in a separate line upon arrival to prove your child’s age. We typically purchase tickets for everyone on the tour, so that we may bypass this line, which can be quite long, and have more time in the museum.
Is the Uffizi Gallery included on this tour? Â
No, it’s not included. If you’re interested in the Uffizi Gallery, we highly recommend you book our Uffizi Gallery Tour: Crash Course.Â
What are skip-the-line tickets?
For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to skip the ticket office line upon arrival at the museum. You may still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned. Â
Experts
Where You'll Start
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338 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Our guide, Siro was terrific! His knowledge of art history (particularly the life and work of Michelangelo) is significant.
We started with a relaxed talk about Michelangelo’s early life and a detailed look at his MADONNA OF THE STEPS and concluded with a heartfelt walk around the magnificent DAVID. The three hours in-between were filled with fascinating bits of Florentine political and social history and how it all related to and influenced Renaissance art— full of stunning examples of the masters’ works. Siro left us with a curiosity to explore more on our own; and what more could one ask from a tour or a teacher? We highly recommend this tour!
Marsha
Oct 6, 2023
Alessandra was wonderful. So kind and extremely knowledgeable. Made our walk through Florence a delight.
John
Sep 28, 2023
Excellent pacing, super informative, worked well with kids and adults alike.
Timothy
Jun 30, 2023