To many tourists, visiting the Accademia has one p...

To many tourists, visiting the Accademia has one purpose--to gaze at David. Unquestionably this statue is a masterpiece, a rendition of a perfect human with a face and body that is lifelike, determined, and above reproach. But there is more to this gallery--an entire room devoted to the plaster cast technique used to model statues before sculpting in the final marble, with hundreds of models from 1 inch to life-size. The Museum of Musical Instruments is also fascinating. On the subject of statues of David, we feel that Bernini's David in the Borghese in Rome is more emotional and interesting. But there's no question that Michelangelo's David is mesmerizing, a true work of art--a "must see".