The Cathedral of Florence, as Santa Maria del Fiore is called, is the third largest cathedral in Europe after St. Peter’s in Rome, which is the first, and St. Paul’s in London, which is the second. It was begun at the end of the 13th century on the site of the ancient cathedral of Santa Reparata and is therefore a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles. From the beginning of its construction, several architects reworked the project: first Arnolfo di Cambio, then Giotto, then Francesco Talenti and finally Brunelleschi, who was commissioned to solve the project of the double roof dome starting from 1418. Without a doubt, the Florence Cathedral is a truly impressive monument. Its white, green and red marble facade dazzles all who have the opportunity to visit it. Entrance is free and visiting hours are from 10.15am to 5pm, although the last visit takes place at 4.30pm. It is closed to the public on Sundays.
Brunelleschi’s Dome is one of the jewels of the Renaissance. Its construction began in 1420 and was completed in 1436. Work by Filippo Brunelleschi, it is an architectural challenge consisting of two domes, one internal and one external. It has 463 steps, is 116 meters high, 45.5 meters wide and weighs 37,000 tonnes. As a finishing touch, a century later, between 1572 and 1579, the internal vault was painted by the artists Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari with a series of scenes from the Last Judgment. Today it is considered one of the largest wall paintings in the world. A visit to Brunelleschi’s Dome is highly recommended because it is also one of the best panoramic points of the city of Florence. Entrance starts from €20 for adults and €10 for children aged 7 to 14 and opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8.15am to 7.45pm, Saturday from 8.15am to 7.45pm. Saturdays from 8.15am to 5.30pm. and on Sundays and public holidays from 12.45pm to 5.30pm. The visit lasts 45-50 minutes. It is also possible to visit it with a guided tour to learn all the details of this Renaissance emblem.
The bell tower of the Duomo, known as Campanile, is a separate building from Santa Maria del Fiore. The project began in the 13th century and was only completed in 1359. With a height of approximately 85 meters and a climb of 414 steps, it is one of the best observation points of the city of Florence together with Brunelleschi’s Dome and Michelangelo’s Piazzale. The visit lasts 45 minutes and can be done any day of the week from 8.15am to 7.45pm. The entrance ticket costs €15 for adults and €7 for children aged 7 to 14.
The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo was founded in 1891. Renovated in 2015, it has a total of 28 rooms divided into three floors which host over 700 works of art, including Michelangelo’s “Pietà Bandini”, the “Maddalena penitent” and the “Prophet from the Almond Gate” by Donatello, Statue of Santa Reparata” by Andrea Pisano, the “Door of Paradise” by Lorenzo Ghiberti, the “Madonna of the tickling” by Andrea Pisano, “La Charity” by Tino di Camaino or “San Luca Evangelista” by Nanni di Banco. The museum is open every day of the week from 9.00 to 19.45 and the combined ticket for the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and the Baptistery of San Giovanni costs €10 for adults and €5 for children aged 7 to 14.
The Baptistery of San Giovanni, with an octagonal plan, is located in front of Santa Maria del Fiore and is the oldest building in Piazza del Duomo and one of the oldest churches in Florence. Its red, white and green marble cladding is the same as the Duomo. The most characteristic elements of the Baptistery are its doors, in particular the Door of Paradise, the work of Lorenzo Ghiberti, decorated with 10 golden panels with scenes from the Old Testament. Furthermore, the interior ceiling is decorated with mosaics dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Visiting hours are from 9am to 7.45pm and the entrance fee is €5 for adults and €3 for children aged 7 to 14. It is also possible to purchase a combined ticket to visit the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and the Baptistery of San Giovanni at a cost of 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children aged 7 to 14.
In the Duomo it is also possible to take an exclusive guided tour of the Cathedral and go up to the Terrace. With over 30 meters of height and 150 steps, it is the ideal place to admire the different monuments and sites of the city of Florence. The price is 25 euros for adults and 10 euros for children aged 7 to 14.
Santa Reparata has a long history. It was the first cathedral of the city of Florence and the site on which Santa Maria del Fiore was built in the late 13th century. The excavations carried out between 1965 and 1973 brought to light the remains of this ancient basilica, considered one of the largest early Christian complexes in Tuscia. The crypt can be visited from 10.15am to 5pm and entry costs €15 for adults and €7 for children aged 7 to 14.
Attributed to the architect and sculptor Alberto Arnoldi, the Loggia del Bigallo is a beautiful Gothic building built in the mid-15th century. It was the place where lost or abandoned children were left and was commissioned by the Compagnia della Misericordia of Florence. it is possible to visit their museum Don’t hesitate to go there, to sit on its stairs, to stop for a moment to contemplate the Piazza del Duomo, to contemplate the life of Florence.
The Torrini Museum is a goldsmith museum located in Piazza del Duomo in Florence. The museum has more than 200 pieces, including a collection of pocket watches from the 18th to 20th centuries, as well as objects made of gold, silver and semi-precious stones. Furthermore, his library contains many valuable objects, such as the title “Treatises of Goldsmithing” by Benvenuto Cellini.
In Piazza del Duomo there are several cafés. I recommend that, after visiting each of the places of interest in the square, you choose one, sit down and enjoy a delicious cappuccino or a typical Italian ice cream (Gelato) while observing everything that surrounds you. One of the charms of Florence is contemplating its life and atmosphere, and what better place to do so than in this emblematic enclave of the city. Observe the tourists passing by, identify the Florentines going to work or carrying out their daily lives among the crowds of visitors that invade the city and let yourself be dazzled by all the beauty of this unique place. We have for you some suggestion.
Caffe Scudieri : Piazza di San Giovanni, 19R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.
Gelateria Eduardo: Piazza del Duomo, 45/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy you have to try the original Chianti Wine sorbet.
Slitti Experience: Piazza dell’Olio, 6, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.
Panini Toscani: Piazza del Duomo, 34/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.
Caffetteria Museum : Piazza del Duomo, 41/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.
Move ON : Piazza di San Giovanni, 1/R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.
JJ Cathedral : Piazza di San Giovanni, 4r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.
Bottegone : Via de’ Martelli, 2/red, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy.
Osteria Nuvoli : Piazza dell’Olio, 15/r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.
Piazza del Duomo in Florence is located in the heart of the Tuscan capital. I recommend you go there on foot for a pleasant walk. However, here are all the ways to get there: Bus: the C4 line stops very close to Piazza del Duomo, in Via Panzani and Santa Caterina. Tram: the T2 line stops at Piazza dell’Unita’d’Italia, next to Piazza del Duomo. Train: Santa Maria Novella station is 8-10 minutes away on foot.
The visit to the entire monumental complex of the Florence Cathedral lasts approximately five hours. You will have to go through a metal detector.
Therefore, when calculating the total time of the visit, it is necessary to take this time into account. I recommend you visit on weekdays and early in the morning to avoid the crowds. It is not permitted to enter the Cathedral with bare shoulders. Furthermore, the legs must be covered up to the knees.There is a vending machine in side the ticket office in piazza San Giovanni n 7.
Avoid wearing sunglasses and hats inside. It is not permitted to bring food inside the Cathedral. The climb to Brunelleschi’s Dome and the Bell Tower is not recommended for people with heart problems, claustrophobia and dizziness.
It is not possible to enter with large suitcases and backpacks. However the opera del Duomo has a luggage storage next to the museum, in Piazza del Duomo n 9. Finally, I recommend you read the post what to see inside the Cathedral of Florence to complete the information for your trip.
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