One of the Renaissance’s greatest achievements, the immense dome of the "Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower" has become an iconic symbol of the city of Florence.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known locally as the Duomo (or "Cathedral"), is the most striking and impressive reminder of the power and wealth of the city-state of Florence during the Middle Ages. Work on this incredible architectural feat, which dominates the Florentine skyline, began in 1294 and the fact that the dome is still the biggest of its kind in the world is testament to the ambition of its architects. While most visitors come to see the building itself, the vast interior of the cathedral is home to frescoes, stained-glass windows and sculptures by Italian masters.By the time the Duomo was consecrated in 1436, several different master architects had worked on the project, the most celebrated being Filippo Brunelleschi, who designed the dome. His innovative self-supporting design was 45.5 metres in diameter and involved lifting over four million bricks to a height of 91 metres! A trip up the 463 steps to the dome’s summit is rewarded by a mesmerising panorama of the city.Another of the cathedral’s most impressive features is the colourful façade of pink, green and white marble facing onto the Piazza del Duomo. This neo-Gothic design was only added in 1876 to match the exterior of Giotto’s bell tower. Inside the cathedral, highlights include 44 stained-glass windows portraying biblical scenes and the incredible 3,600m² fresco of the Last Judgement on the interior of the dome. Also, make sure to catch the amazing giant clock above the entrance inside the church. This 24-hour clock, designed in 1443, is one of the last working examples in the world of the astounding hora-italica timepieces, whose last hour falls at sunset.The Duomo is one of the most-visited attractions in Florence and therefore long queues often form. Don’t let this put you off though as they generally move pretty quickly and it really is a treat. The cathedral is open to visitors every day except for the 6th of January (the Epiphany) and is free of charge, although groups of four or more may be asked to rent an audio guide for a small fee.
