The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore , also known as il Duomo , serves as the symbol of the city and is the most recognizable building in Florence, Italy. The cathedral and its corresponding bell tower ( campanario ) and baptistery ( battistero ) are among the top ten attractions in Florence and the Duomo is also considered one of the best cathedrals to see in Italy.
History of the Duomo complex
The cathedral . Santa Maria del Fiore is dedicated to the Virgin of the Flowers. Built on the 4th century remains of the original cathedral, Santa Reparata, it was initially designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296. Its main feature is the massive dome designed according to the plans of Filippo Brunelleschi. Brunelleschi received the commission for the construction of the dome after winning a design competition, which pitted him against other prominent Florentine artists and architects, including Lorenzo Ghiberti.
The first stone of the striking façade was laid on September 8, 1296, made of polychrome panels of green, white and red marble. But this design is not the original: the construction of a completely new facade by Emilio De Fabris (1871-1884) in the popular Florentine style in the 14th century was completed at the end of the 19th century.
The Duomo is 502 feet long, 295 feet wide, and 295 feet high. It was the largest church in the world until the completion of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City in 1615.
The Dome . Construction of the dome, one of the most ambitious architectural and engineering feats of its time, had stalled for some time because it was determined that building a dome of that size would be impossible without the use of flying buttresses. Brunelleschi, however, had a deep knowledge and understanding of key physics and geometry concepts and was therefore able to solve this dilemma. His brilliance finally won the challenge.
Brunelleschi’s controversial and innovative plans envisioned internal and external shells that were held together by a system of rings and ribs, and employed a herringbone pattern to prevent the bricks of the dome from falling to the ground. These building techniques are common today, but they were quite revolutionary during the time it was erected.
Work on the dome began in 1420. Crowned by a lantern with a conical roof, the dome was not completely finished until after Brunelleschi’s death in 1446. Andrea del Verrocchio designed a gilt copper sphere and a cross containing relics sacred buildings and added them in 1466. Between 1572 and 1579, a fresco of The Last Judgment was painted inside the dome, begun by Giorgio Vasari and completed by Federico Zuccari.
What to see and do around the Duomo
A commanding sight in the heart of Florence’s historic center, the richly decorative Duomo with a distinctive terracotta dome is Florence’s most famous symbol and, to date, the fourth largest church in Europe.
Go up to the dome. Measuring 150 feet in diameter, Filippo Brunelleschi’s massive dome was completed in 1463. The largest of its time built without scaffolding, its outer layer is supported by a thick inner layer that acts as its platform. The best way to appreciate the genius of Brunelleschi’s work, and the only way to see it up close, is to climb the dome. There are 463 steps, mostly in the narrow hallways used by workers when the dome was built, so it’s not an activity for the claustrophobic or those who wear themselves out on the stairs.
Tickets to go up to the dome cost € 18 and must be reserved in advance. You can select the time and date of your visit up to 30 days in advance.
Once you reach the base of the dome, you can walk along an interior walkway to get a close-up view of The Last Judgment . From there, you can continue all the way to the lantern and head out for incredible views of Florence from above.
The crypt of Santa Reparata. A 20th century archaeological excavation under the cathedral revealed the remains of the previous cathedral, Santa Reparata; proof of the existence of early Christianity in the city. The discovery also provides extensive information on the art, history, and topography of the city. You can still see 8th century mosaics on the first floor decorated with a polychrome geometric pattern. The walls show fragments of frescoes, but the most important find was Brunelleschi’s tomb, which dates from 1446.
Access to the crypt is included in the € 18 cumulative ticket (see above).
Baptistery of San Juan. The Battistero San Giovanni (Baptistery of Saint John) is part of the Duomo complex and is located opposite the cathedral. Construction of the current Baptistery began in 1059, making it one of the oldest buildings in Florence. The interior of the octagon-shaped Baptistery is richly decorated with mosaics from the 1200s. But the baptistery is best known for its bronze exterior doors, which feature exquisitely carved depictions of scenes from the Bible, designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti and executed by Ghiberti. and his apprentices.
The artist Michelangelo called the bronze doors the “Gates of Paradise” and the name has remained ever since. The original doors are now in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and those in the Baptistery are bronze casts of the originals.
Get on the Campanile. Next to the Baptistery, the tall, square Campanile, or bell tower, is affectionately known as Giotto’s bell tower. Designed by Giotto in 1334, the bell tower was not completed until 1359, more than two decades after the artist’s death.
There are 414 steps to the top of the bell tower by a narrow flight of stairs that surrounds the interior of the tower. Once you reach the top, a panoramic terrace offers up-close views of Brunelleschi’s dome and views of Florence and the surrounding countryside that only rival those of the dome itself. Access to the bell tower is included in the cumulative ticket, although it is not possible to reserve in advance. If you have not reserved to climb the dome, the bell tower is a good substitute.
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. This museum of art, architecture and sculpture contains almost 1,000 works of art from the Duomo and the Baptistery, as well as fascinating exhibits on the design and construction of the buildings of the Duomo Complex. The giants of the Italian Renaissance are represented here, with works by Michelangelo, Donatello, della Robbia, and Ghiberti, including the original baptistery doors. An outdoor terrace in the museum offers spectacular views of the dome. Entrance to the museum is included in the cumulative ticket.
Visitor information for the Duomo complex
Santa Maria del Fiore is located in Piazza Duomo, which is located in the historic center of Florence.
The cathedral’s hours of operation vary from day to day and also according to the season. Please visit the Duomo website prior to your arrival for current hours of operation and other information. Please note that the Duomo is a place of worship and proper dress is required, meaning no shorts or skirts above the knee, no bare shoulders, and no hats once inside.
Although entry to the cathedral is free, a combined ticket (€ 18) is required to visit the dome, crypt, baptistery and bell tower; It can be purchased on the Duomo website.
