What is it and why is it important?
The Duomo is Florence’s central landmark, a piece of architecture so ginormous and complex that it took 150 years to complete. The first stone was laid in 1293, but the technology didn’t yet exist to construct the giant dome, so building work ground to a halt. Eventually, Brunelleschi was tasked with creating the cupola, which is still the largest masonry dome in the world.
Is it worth visiting?
Though you can ogle at the Duomo’s impressive red-tiled dome and vast marble façade for free, seeing inside the cathedral complex gives a whole new perspective to Florence’s Renaissance history. If you want to go inside the main cathedral without paying, join a one-hour Catholic Mass on Sunday, but be mindful of worshippers and don’t snap any photos.
What does the ticket include?
To climb the dome you’ll need a ‘Brunelleschi Pass’, which costs €30 and is valid for three days. This allows you not only to climb the narrow and vertigo-inducing passageways inside Brunelleschi’s Dome, but to access Giotto’s Bell Tower (another hair-raising climb for views over the main Duomo itself), the ornate Baptistery of San Giovanni, and the underground ruins of the ancient Santa Reparata church, upon which the current cathedral was built. You’ll need to wear respectful clothing (shorts below the knee, and shoulders covered) to enter any part of the cathedral.
Where should I eat nearby?
Head to Osteria Nuvoli for platters of cured meats and rustic Tuscan dishes, or stop for a spritz inside Move On record shop, with a window looking directly onto the Duomo.
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