There is no view of Florence's historic center from which it does not appear. The gigantic dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral creates, next to the bell tower, one of the most famous panoramas – and, why not?, one of the most beautiful – of the entire old continent.
And if from afar it is already impressive, it is up close that we can get a real sense of its majesty. The white, green and red marble mosaics that color the exterior are details that lend personality to the building.
Florence Cathedral when it was built
Built at the turn of the 13th to the 14th century, more than 200 years after the cathedrals of neighboring Pisa and Lucca, the Cathedral of Florence is one of the largest in the world: it is 160 meters long, 43 wide and 90 in its transverse nave. . The highest point of the dome reaches 114 meters. If you, like me, don't have much sense of space, I'll tell you: it's church as hell.
It is second only to St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, to St. Paul in London and the Duomo in Milan. And the dome still boasts a first place: it is the largest in the world built in brick. Despite years of delay, the Cathedral came to affirm Florence's place as one of the cultural and economic capitals of Europe, enriched by the wool and silk trade.
Florence Cathedral, where it is located
The church is located in the center of Piazza del Duomo, the social and religious heart of the city. There are also two other very important buildings for Florence: the bell tower and the baptistery. It is possible – and advisable – to visit all three on the same day.
Entrance to the Church is free, but to go up to the Dome, the Tower and enter the Baptistery you need to buy an integrated ticket (18 euros), which also includes the Cathedral's crypt, which houses the archaeological remains of the first foundations, and the Museum of the Opera del Duomo.
The integrated ticket represents a saving of 13 euros on all separate attractions and is valid for 48 hours from the first use. The ticket can be bought online on the Opera website or in Florence, at the Centro de Arte e Cultura right there in Piazza del Duomo.
But whatever your strategy for the visit, arrive early and remember to dress appropriately. Florence is always full and queues can take a long time.
How to Climb to the Dome of the Cathedral of Florence
It took more than a century from the beginning of the construction of the Cathedral for the authorities of Florence to worry about filling the gigantic hole in the roof of the church and in the heart of the city. Previously covered with a wooden structure that left construction at the mercy of the weather, the Brunelleschi Dome, as it is known, only had construction started in 1419.
With a total width of 46 meters and weighing over 37 tons, it was the first double-walled dome built without the need for scaffolding, in a self-supporting structure. For this, a building system created specifically for the project was used, which was inspired by the pantheon in Rome.
From the top of the Dome of the Cathedral of Florence, visitors enjoy a panoramic view of the historic center, but also a closer look at the frescoes that tell the story of the Last Judgment, painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari between the years 1572 and 1579.
It is not necessary to enter the church to access the Dome. The entrance is outside, on the north face of the building. There are 446 steps to the top, with some sections quite narrow and steep. Expect to spend between an hour and an hour and a half there, not counting waiting in line.
The Bell Tower of the Duomo in Florence
The tall and slender building of Giotto's Campanile joins the Duomo in the panorama of Florence. It is also harmoniously decorated with the same pattern of marble mosaics that covers the church, in addition to 54 inscriptions in low relief and statues of saints and prophets. Today, the statues there are copies, but the originals are on display in the Opera Museum in the Duomo.
To access the top and enjoy a panoramic view that also includes the Cathedral, you have to climb 414 steps. The climb, however, is not excessively difficult, since there are intermediate floors for a well-deserved rest. The height of the tower is more or less the same as the Cathedral. Open every day from 8:30 am to 19:30 pm.
The Baptistery of San Giovanni in the Cathedral of Florence
To complete the architectural complex of Piazza del Duomo, it is worth taking some time to visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni. The octagonal structure recalls the seven days it took God to create the world, plus the eighth day, on which Christians are reborn.
As in the Tower and Cathedral, what impresses there are the minutiae. The doors are decorated with images that tell biblical stories with rich details carved in bronze and gold leaf. The ones we see, however, are just replicas. The originals, work of Lorenzo Ghiberti that were damaged in a flood in 1966, have been restored and are now in the Opera Museum.
The interior of the Baptistery does not fail to impress. The walls are lined with rich gold drawings, which also depict biblical scenes. It's worth spending some time with your neck bent over to spot some curious figures. The Baptismal Font has baptized several famous Florentines, including Dante Alighieri.
