Florence Cathedral Duomo
The Duomo of Florence also known as Santa Maria del Fiore
is the fourth largest church in Christianity (St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican, Milan Cathedral and St Paul’s Cathedral in London are the top three). The start of construction was in the year 1296 under the direction of Arnolfo di Cambio. The name Santa Maria del Fiore recalls also the original name of Florence, Fiorenza. At that time the neighboring towns and rival Siena and Pisa had begun their cathedrals. In Florence were also being built the churches of Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella. The construction of the Cathedral of enormous dimensions showed the wealth and power at the turn of the thirteenth century. The project was however interrupted by death of Arnolfo di Cambio at a time and just one stage of the façade and some plasters of the side walls were completed. The next steps were the responsibility of various architects including Talenti, Giotto and Ghini. The works were all being finished provisionally, for example the current façade dates from the nineteenth century. The grandeur of the Cathedral is amazing, there is the dome the interior staircase, the eastern apse and the beautiful interior with its fresh. Also in the complex of the cathedral of Florence are the Baptistery, the Campanile (Giotto’s Bell Tower) and the Museum dell’Opera del Duomo. Hotels in Florence
Opening Hours: 10AM-5PM; Thursdays 10AM-4.30PM; Saturdays 10AM-4.45PM; Sundays and religious holidays 1.30PM-4.45PM; 1st Saturday of the month 10AM-3.30PM; New Year’s Day/Easter/Christmas 3.30PM-4.45PM. Closed on January 6th.
Tickets: Free entrance; 8€ to climb the dome, 5€ to Baptistery and 6€ to Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
Where is the “Duomo” on Map of Florence
where is Santa Maria del Fiore on Map of Florence