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 Duomo and Campanile by Callavetta
My travel partner, Janet, was on a roll, ranting about how there would NEVER ever be a site that awed and amazed her as much as the Duomo in Milano. Just as she was about to reiterate her conviction we turned the corner and there it was. Awash in moonlight, and relatively void of people, the marble facades of the Duomo met our gaze, challenging Janet to not change her mind immediately! And change it she did. (Mind you, never again have I seen the Duomo or its piazza as empty of the throngs of tourists that usually crowd the area).
In the following days we took cool shelter in the huge cathedral, we explored the interior, gazing at the walls, ceilings, and the magnificent dome. We climbed the campanile and climbed up into the dome to get a better look at the fabulous Dantesque murals. (I love those murals with devils and demons taking the evil to hell!). But nothing will ever rival that first glimpse of this beautiful Cathedral.
An interesting story is the history of the Duomo is the competition to determine who would build the actual dome. When Brunelleschi was asked how he proposed to build it he replied "If I told you how, then you would know how to do it". An archeological wonder in its time (or OUR time), the dome was open for over one hundred years, while Masses were conducted with birds and rain falling in. Leave a Comment Phone: 055.29.4514Directions: Hours Open: 9:00/am to 6:00/PM Monday thru Friday - 8:30/AM to 5:00/PM Saturday and 1:00/PM to 5:00/pm Sunday.
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Santa Maria del Fiore (also known as the Duomo) is the cathedral noted for its distinctive dome and arguably the most recognized symbol of Florence. The Duomo is the 4th largest in the world.
For days the lines to enter the cathedral were endless. Finally on a rainy afternoon we were able to get into the cathedral. The cathedral itself was nice enough. It was either that I had already seen so many cathedrals on my trip at that point (some much nicer) or that it’s hard to live up to expectations, but this wasn’t one of my favorites. That being said, of course it’s a must-see in Florence!
The Cathedral and Dome are (normally) so beautiful from the outside but the inside didn’t seem to match. I said normally because they were so dirty – in desperate need of a good cleaning. The inside was simple and stark, although huge.
Get there early to avoid the many tour groups and general crowds. Make a trip to Piazza Michelangelo (or some other place outside the city) for spectacular views of he Duomo rising out of the city.
I also recommend climbing to the top of the Dome or the campanile (bell tower) for great views of Florence. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and try to go when the sky is clear.
Hours:
Church Mon-Wed and Fri 10am-5pm; Thurs 10am-3:30pm; 1st Sat of month 10am-3:30pm, other Sat 10am-4:45pm; Sun 1:30-4:30pm.
Cupola Mon-Fri 8:30am-6:20pm; Sat 8:30am-5pm (first Sat of month to 3:20pm)
Cost: Admission to church free; Santa Reparata excavations 3€; cupola 6€, free for children under 6
Please note that all visitor information is correct as of this writing. Leave a Comment
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The Campanile (bell tower) is located next to the Duomo and is also made from the same pink, white and green marble.
It is 82 metres high and work commenced on it back in the mid 1300's.
For around 6 euros you can climb the 414 steps to the top, for fabulous views across the city and the neighboring Duomo.
Best to climb after a quick espresso - you will need the caffeine to help propel you to the top - those stairs are a killer!! Leave a Comment Address: Piazza del DuomoPhone: 055 2302885
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Florence is an exceptionally beautiful city from above so we decided to climb Giotto’s Campanile (the cathedral bell tower). We had a choice of either that or the Dome but chose the bell tower so we could see the Dome.
It had been rainy or overcast for our first few days in Florence. We finally got a break and a little sun and headed to the bell tower. It was 414 steps to the top (and 414 back down!). It was broken into 4 levels and the climb really wasn’t so bad. At each level the views got better and we had fairly nice views of the city from the top.
For any climb, I recommend taking water, wearing comfortable shoes, and if at all possible, going when the sky is bright!
Hours Daily 8:30am-6:50pm
Prices Admission 6€
Please note that all visitor information is correct as of this writing. Leave a Comment
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The Duomo is the number one must see in Florence.
The building of the Cathedral began in 1296 and took nearly 150 years to complete.
It is a pretty fabulous sight, with its stunning white, green and pink marble facade.
Its huge interior is very sparsely decorated which is quite a contract to the outside.
It is free to visit the Cathedral, with a charge to visit the underground crypt (around 3 euros)
Also as part of your visit you can climb to the top of the Dome (for around 6 euros) , for amazing views across Florence. Leave a Comment
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This was my favourite museum in Florence!
It tells you about the building of the Duomo,has religious artefacts on exhibition, but the best thing for me was that I could see the sculptures of the Duomo very close. Outside
on the Duomo, you need binoculars if you want to see any details of the sculptures high up.
Here in this museum, you can touch them. Well,you probably shouldn't, but you could.
All the fascinating details in the sculptures can be seen, an angel who smiles , children who laugh or the panels of the Door of Paradise.
The most famous sculptures in this museum are the Pietà by Michelangelo and the
Magdalen by Donatello.
Both very impressing, but I liked the Singing Galleries by Donatello and Luca della Robbia best.They were carved in marble in early 15th century and basically just show laughing , singing and dancing children. To me, this was the most beautiful piece of art in Florence, even more impressive than David. Leave a Comment
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The magnificent Cathedral of Florence, dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, is the fruit of the commitment of a large number of artists who worked on it over a period of centuries. In 1294, the Art Guilds, that supported the government of the city, decided that Arnolfo di Cambio should construct a new cathedral of Florence. The old cathedral, Santa Reparata, was too small to house the citizens since in the 13th century commune of Florence was already flourishing. Santa Reparata continued being the cathedral until 1375. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza Duomo
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Work on the new cathedral, begun in 1296, was interrupted in 1302 when Arnolfo di Cambio died. His place as masterbuilder was taken by Giotto, in 1334. Due to a social situation and certain natural calamities, the construction of the cathedral slowed down. After Giotto's death, in 1337, Andrea Pisano, Francesco Talenti and Giovanni di Lapo Ghini worked on the cathedral. The building was finished in 1375 with the exception of the dome. The competition for its construction was won in 1420 by Brunelleschi who proposed to build the enormous aerial structure without the use of fixed centring. The dome was finished in 1434 and the cathedral was finally consecrated in 1436. The lantern, at the top of the dome, was also designed by Brunelleschi but its formal and architectural details had not been defined. It was designed and completed by Verrocchio.
The interior is very spacious, both in height and width, following the dictates of Italian Gothic architecture. The most prestigious artists of the age have took place in adorning the cathedrals interior: Nanni di Bartolo, Donatello, Niccolo da Tolentino, Andrea del Castagno, Paolo Uccello, Giorgio Vasari and Giotto of course. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza del Duomo
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 The view from the top of
Campanile by jono84
The Campanile stands beside the Duomo at 85m tall, which is just 6m shorter than the dome of the Duomo, and the views from the top are just as good. Entry tickets are also cheaper.
The Campanile, designed by Giotto in 1334, was completed in 1359 (22years after his death), and remains the second tallest building in Florence.
There are several stages on the way up, in which you can take a breather from the climb, and each offers stunning panoramic views of the city, as well as views of the floors above and below through large grid sections.
It is open 8.30am - 7.30pm daily. Leave a Comment Address: The entrance is off Piazza del DuomoDirections: Pretty much unmissable, as it towers above the city. It is located just above the River Arno in the city centre.Website: www.operaduomo.firenze.it
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 doors of paradise -
florence by dvideira
The most famous are Ghiberti's east doors. So beautiful were they that Michelangelo himself called them the "Doors of Paradise."
But all we can admire now is a very good ( indeed ) copy of the doors - because the original panels are on display at the Museum of the Opera del Duomo. They were moved there after being restored to their original beauty in the 1970s. Leave a Comment
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