Michelangelo's David facts in brief
Michelangelo's David is a marble statue made between 1501 and 1504. The original stands in the Tribuna of the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence. The figures on the Piazza della Signoria and the Piazzale Michelangelo are copies.
The statue is 5.17 m tall, and that number includes the base carved from the same marble. No extra display pedestal is added to it, and there is no separate figure for the body alone. Its weight is 5,560 kg. To see it in person, start with Accademia Gallery tickets.
The David in numbers
The key figures at a glance.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Artist | Michelangelo |
| Made | 1501 to 1504 |
| Material | White marble |
| Height | 5.17 m (517 cm) including the carved base |
| Weight | 5,560 kg |
| Subject | David before the fight with Goliath, with sling and stone |
| Location of the original | Tribuna, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence |
| Moved indoors | 1873, from the Piazza della Signoria |
| Last cleaning | 2003 to 2004 |
A word on the height: 5.17 m is the figure for the statue as a whole. Because it includes the carved base, it is not the height of the standing body alone. Do not add a pedestal to it or subtract a base from it.
Our pick: the facts from a guide
Our take: a guide points out the details these numbers describe.
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Tickets and guided visits to see the David
Time-slot tickets and guided tours of the Galleria dell'Accademia, with live prices and availability.
Details you can see
The David shows the young hero before the fight with Goliath, with a sling and a stone, and not after it. That is how the subject is described. How you read the pose and the expression is left open.
The statue was not always plain white. The wreath, the tree stump and the sling were originally gilded, and the surface was last cleaned in 2003 and 2004. Today the marble is dusted at regular intervals and monitored.
The statue stands in the Tribuna, a hall built for it. Rooms and walking order are covered in our guide to the Galleria dell'Accademia.
Why David, and why Florence
The meaning is explained, not proven.
A symbol of the Florentine Republic
The figure of David is read as a symbol of the Florentine Republic. That is an interpretation of the subject, and it fits the site the statue was given in 1504, in front of the Palazzo Vecchio.
The history of the David →A block others had left
The marble had been roughed out by earlier sculptors, Agostino di Duccio and Antonio Rossellino, who both gave up on it. Michelangelo took the block over for his David.
Made for a cathedral buttress
The statue was ordered in 1501 for an outer buttress of the Duomo. On 25 January 1504 a committee that included Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli chose a spot in front of the Palazzo Vecchio instead. The cathedral side of that story is on the cathedral history page.
Condition and the old research on the ankles
Read this as background, not as a warning.
Research published in 2014 described tiny cracks in the lower legs, at the left ankle and at the right support stump. These were already known in the 19th century, and model tests looked at the effect of the statue's tilt. That describes the state of research at that time. It is not a statement about the statue today and it does not mean any restriction on visiting.
Do not confuse the David with other Davids in Florence. Donatello and Verrocchio each made a David, and both are in the Bargello. They are separate works by other artists. Michelangelo's room there holds other sculptures, including an Apollo/David. The Michelangelo in Florence guide explains the difference, and the replicas page shows the outdoor copies.
Seeing the original: practical facts
The numbers that matter on the day.
| Item | Detail (2026) |
|---|---|
| Address | Via Ricasoli 58/60, accessible entrance at number 60 |
| Ticket | €20, plus a €4 reservation fee, so €24 in total |
| Under 18 | Free, with proof of age |
| Hours | Tuesday to Sunday 08:15–18:50, last entry 18:10 |
| Photos | For personal use without flash or tripod, following staff instructions |
| Bags | Nothing larger than 40 × 30 × 18 cm, and the museum has no cloakroom |
These are the basics for the day. Prices, free days and the reservation are explained on the tickets page, and all closing days and times are on the opening hours page. For most visitors, the rule is simple: reserve a time slot, travel light and plan the David first.
More about the David
Where to go next.
Michelangelo's David facts: frequently asked questions
How tall is Michelangelo's David?
The statue is 5.17 m (517 cm) tall including the base that Michelangelo carved with it. The figure does not include an extra display pedestal.
How much does the David weigh?
The statue weighs 5,560 kg. That figure covers the whole statue.
What is the David made of?
White marble. The block had been roughed out by earlier sculptors before Michelangelo took over.
When was the David made?
Between 1501 and 1504. It was unveiled to the public on 8 September 1504. The History page covers the years that followed.
Is the David in Florence the original?
Yes, if you see it in the Galleria dell'Accademia. The statues on the Piazza della Signoria and the Piazzale Michelangelo are copies.
Is this the official site of the Accademia?
No. This is an independent guide to the David and is not run by the museum or by a ticket seller.