Where in the World is the David?

Martedì in Arte: tomorrow visit the Accademia Gallery for free

bbueno — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:14:41 +0000

In the last Tuesday of each month, until December, the biggest Museums in Italy will offer an extraordinary free open in the evening. In other words: tomorrow, August 30th, you can visit Accademia Gallery from from 8.30pm to 0.30 for free!

Address:

Accademia Gallery – Via Ricasoli, 58-60 – Florence, Tuscany, Italy

For further information visit:

www.beniculturali.it
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it

Rick Steves presents Michelangelo’s David (Video)

bbueno — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:20:38 +0000

There are dozens of videos about Michelangelo’s David on web.
Today I present you one of my favorites, from Rick Steves.

Florence’s city hall, once the palace of the ruling Medici family, towers over the main square and overlooks a copy of Michelangelo’s David. The original David is the centerpiece of the nearby Accademia gallery, which houses a series of Michelangelo’s unfinished statues as well. Looking at David in this temple of humanism is looking at Renaissance man. For more information on the Rick Steves’ Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Firenze Card: all you need is a card to visit the best of Florence

bbueno — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:38:28 +0000

If you want to visit some of the best museums in Florence without spending a fortune, there’s a new solution for you: the Firenze Card. For 3 days (72 hours) you can visit 33 museums and get as many bus and tram as you wish for a single price: € 50,00.

How to use

The Card is valid 72 hours. Activate it on your first visit to a museum or first journey on public transport. The card is for personal use. Write your name and surname on the back at time of purchase. You can visit each museum only once. Swipe the card through the ticket machine. Admission to museums and use of public transport for one other EU citzen under 18 is included in the card.

How much do you save

This card is a great option if you are planning to visit at least 4 great museums in Florence. This is how much you would spend without the card:

Galleria dell’Accademia (Accademia Gallery) – € 14,00
Galleria degli Uffizi – €14,00
Cappelle Medicee – €12,00
Museo di Palazzo Vecchio – € 10,00

Bus + Tram ATAF 3-day ticket – €12,00

Where can you buy it

The card is on sale via web on www.firenzecard.it and at Galleria degli Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, Museo di Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Museo di Santa Maria Novella, Cappella Brancacci, Museo Stefano Bardini, Tourist Info points at Piazza Stazione SMN and via Cavour.

What do Tripadvisor travelers say about the David?

bbueno — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:28:16 +0000

What do travelers think about Michelangelo’s David? According to TripAdvisor, the website that is celebrating 50 million reviews and opinions, you cannot miss a visit at Galleria Accademia in Florence: 98% of feedbacks are positive and people are very enthusiast about their experience. They say:

“I am not in the least bit arty farty but I was blown away by David.”

“Awe inspiring!”

“I’m not an art student but this is different. This gigantic breathtaking statue hypnotized me, I literary couldn’t move.”

“A Must-See Classic”

“Michelangelo’s David is definitely the highlight of the Accademia Museum. There is no words to describe this wonderful statue. It is breathtaking.”

“Go and See this! The copy by palazzo vecchio is nothing!”

“One can look at the statue of David for an hour and not get tired. Such beauty! This is really one of Michaelangelo’s best works. This was the fourth time I have seen the statue. “

Do you want to know more? VIsit the page of the Statue of David at Tripadvisor website.

Don’t miss the chance of having a free virtual tour at Accademia Gallery now!

David at “Instituto Ricardo Brennand”, Recife, Brazil

bbueno — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:41:57 +0000

* by Lucy Silva

I lived in Florence for 6 years, and remember the first place my husband took me to visit: it was the Piazzale Michelangelo, to see the city and also the statue of David; later, we went to Galleria dell’Accademia too. Now, I’m back in Brazil, in my hometown and I’m taking a course to become a tour guide. To my surprise, on one of our excursions, we went to Instituto Ricardo Brennand (which is a nice painting gallery and weapon museum I’ve been to before), and I saw this real size, white marble replica of David in the garden!
The sculpture is one of the five replicas produced by statuary Cervietti Franco & Cia, from Pietrasanta, Tuscany, Italy. It’s now part of an exhibition, which includes other nine plaster made replicas of the artist, from the Gipsoteca dell’Istituto Statale d’Arte in Florence, and six original drawings, granted by Fondazione Casa Buonarroti. A Beleza na Escultura de Michelangelo – Instituto Ricardo Brennand – Recife – Brazil: July to September 2011.

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* Lucy Silva shared her photo of the David with us! Did you see the David somewhere? Share your picture too!

Siena Palio 2011

bbueno — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:09:55 +0000

Finally July has arrived: it’s time to think about vacation.. and to have fun at another edition of the famous “Palio di Siena”. The “Palio” is the historical horse race that happens twice a year at Piazza del Campo, one of the main “squares” of Siena.

Siena’s Palio happens on July 2nd and on August 16th. So, if you have a chance, don’t miss it. Here is everything you need to know to get there. And don’t forget: if you see the David around there, take a picture and share it with us!

How to get to Siena from Florence:

by train: there is a train station in Siena about 3 km from the historical center. Close to the train station you will find a bus stop that takes you inside the walled town in about 15 minutes (ask for directions to Piazza Gramsci or Piazza del Sale). Remember to buy the bus ticket before you get on the bus and when you enter the bus insert your ticket into a machine to validate it.
What about walking from the train station to the city center? It’s not a good idea because you have to walk 30 minutes to the center and then… you have to walk a lot more to discover the city and if you are not used to walking you will get really exhausted!
The trip Florence-Siena by train lasts about one hour and a half.
by bus: you can choose one of these 2 bus companies; the direct bus from florence takes one hour:
SITA: Florence address: Viale dei Cadorna 105 – Tel. (+39)055.47821 e-mail clienti.toscana@sitabus.it
TRAIN SPA (Siena at the train station: Tel. (+39) 0577.204228, Poggibonsi at Piazza Mazzini Tel. (+39) 0577.937207
by car:
from Florence: take the “Autostrada Siena-Firenze” and follow the traffic signs to “Tangenziale Siena Ovest” (Arezzo/Grosseto direction). Then exit at Siena Sud and follow the traffic signs to “Porta Romana” or Piazza Gramsci where you can look for paid Parking.

PS. Have you seen the David somewhere? Share your picture with us via Facebook or Flickr!

David rocks!

bbueno — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:36:56 +0000

It’s time to have fun! Sometimes even the David likes to listen to good music… and a great place to do that is at Pistoia Blues Festival. On July 8th-9th-10th Pistoia will receive many international and local talents like Rau Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, Lou Reed, or the new tuscan band The General Stratocuster and The Marshals. This is the 32th edition of the Festival. Tickets are available online, for further information visit the official website.

Is Mona Lisa coming to Florence?

bbueno — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:03:18 +0000

My dear friend Mona Lisa might come to Florence again.

Italy has asked the Louvre Museum in Paris to loan Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa for an exhibit in 2013 at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery. It would mark 100 years since the last time the work was displayed in Italy.

“La Gioconda” was briefly displayed in the Uffizi in 1913 after being recovered in a Florence hotel two years after its theft from the Louvre.

Italians hope to collect at least 100.000 signatures to be sent to France in around six months in order to bring this piece of art to Florence.

But… last Friday the Louvre released a statement saying that Mona Lisa is “extremely fragile” and that there is no chance she is coming to Florence.

What do you think about it? Should Mona Lisa come to Florence or it’s better for her to stay in Paris? Share your opinion with us!

Fireworks in Florence: June 24th is at the door!

bbueno — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:47:44 +0000

I always suggest to my friends to visit Florence on June 24th. It’s the day of “San Giovanni”, the patron saint of Florence. You won’t find many open shops in the city as it’s a local holiday, but there are many more interesting things to do.

For example you shouldn’t miss the Historical Florentine Football. The final match of this “Calcio Storico” happens at 5.00 pm at Piazza Santa Croce (you can buy tickets here).

In the morning you could go to the Accademia Gallery to visit the original Michelangelo’s David from 8,15am to 6,45pm. Although it’s holiday this museum is open.

In the end of the day, around 8pm people try to find some free space near Ponte Vecchio to watch the fireworks. It’s a happy moment, everyone is partying together, waiting for the show of lights (it normally starts around 10pm)

Have you ever been to Florence on June 24th? Share your tips with us!

Art Tuesdays – Michelangelo’s David for free in Florence

bbueno — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:00:58 +0000

The original David - photo sent by Wasfi Akab

Did you know there are extraordinary openings of the Accademia Gallery and that you could visit the original Michelangelo’s David for free? The project is called “Art Tuesdays”, it happens once a month and the interesting part is that the museum is open until late.

Save the date

The Accademia Gallery will be extraordinary free open from 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm on: 28 June, 26 July, 30 August, 27 September, 25 October, 29 November and 27 December 2011.

Further Information

Accademia Gallery Official Website