The Accademia Gallery is one of the most prominent museums in the world, not only because it is home the statue of David, the masterpiece created by the prolific artist, Michelangelo, but undoubtedly due to the other marvels the gallery holds created by numerous Italian masters. Made of marble and standing at over 5 metres, it is one of those sculptures that every person must experience in person. Situated in Florence, often considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the entire city is a testament to the architectural heritage of Italy. The Accademia is one of the two most prominent art galleries in the city. In 2016, over 1.4 million people visited the gallery. Your ticket, however, allows you to skip the long lines altogether.

Once you skip the line and gain entry, you can start exploring the colossal space and all of the art it holds. Spread out over two floors, some masterpieces are considered “must-sees”, like Michelangelo’s David. As the centerpiece of the gallery, the statue was created by Michelangelo with the goal of producing the perfect embodiment of a man. At merely 26 years of age, Michelangelo was at the time of commissioning of the statue, already one of the most famous and best-paid artists in the country. Another work by the maestro that should catch your eye is Michelangelo’s Slaves. Also known as I Prigioni, these statues are famous for being unfinished examples of Michelangelo’s work. The difficulty and skill required to carve out sculptures from marble is apparent, and they provide an excellent insight into his approach to sculpting.

Housing some of the most famous works of Renaissance artists, and several other artworks crafted by Michelangelo, the audio commentary is sure to leave you with a better understanding of the style of art that was popular in that time period. Additionally, for those who are unfamiliar with art, the audioguide provides an excellent background into the rich history and heritage of the artists and their works. Since the gallery itself isn't particularly vast, going through the entire museum shouldn’t take too long.