Galleria dell'Accademia

The gallery's first long hall is dedicated to the works of Michelangelo. As mentioned, most visitors immediately proceed to the sculpture of the David, located at the far end of the hall. An anti-Medicean attack during 1527 caused David's left arm to come crashing down, but thankfully, Giorgio Vasari was able to salvage the pieces, and the arm was eventually reconstituted. Other "attacks" would come in later years, such as in 1991, when a man began hammering at David's toes on the right foot. These attacks spurred the building of David's plexiglas shield.

The rest of the hall is choc full of Michelangelo's other masterpieces, such as his unfinished Slaves, and his other work, Prisoners. A statue of St. Matthew is also housed here, as well as The Pieta carved by one of the great artist's students.

Another hall off the Michelangelo hall is the Cassone Adimari, a painting by Lo Scheggia. Paintings by Michelangelo's contemporaries, including one by Pontormo, of Venus and Cupid, are also on display in the gallery.

Visitors who want to catch a glimpse of the David, or just plain explore the pieces in the Accademia are advised to reserve tickets ahead of time. The wait and the lines leading to the gallery can be quite long, and may test your patience. The best times to go are before the opening hours or an hour or two before the gallery closes.