Attraction
Uffizi Gallery
Florence's great picture gallery, built by Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici, with Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio.
Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and Brunelleschi’s Dome
Santa Maria del Fiore, with Brunelleschi's 15th-century brick dome, Giotto's bell tower and the Baptistery, the religious heart of Florence.
At a glance
- Type
- Cathedral and monument complex
- Area
- Duomo, Florence, Italy
- Official site
- duomo.firenze.it
Good to know
- Free entry to the cathedral
- Timed dome climb
- Museum
- Bell tower climb
Why we recommend it
The cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore dominates Florence in a way few buildings dominate any city. Work began in 1296 to a design by Arnolfo di Cambio, Giotto took charge in 1334 and started the bell tower, and the vast nave was finished by about 1380. The great problem of how to roof the crossing was solved by Filippo Brunelleschi, who built the dome between 1420 and 1436 without a full wooden support frame, using two brick shells. It remains the largest masonry dome ever built, and the white, green and pink marble facade facing the Baptistery is a 19th-century addition by Emilio De Fabris, completed in 1887.
The complex is really several sights in one. The cathedral interior is huge and relatively bare, but look for Paolo Uccello's clock above the main door, the stained glass and the Last Judgement frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari inside the dome. Climbing the dome takes you up between the two shells and out onto the lantern terrace; Giotto's bell tower offers a different climb with the dome itself in view. The octagonal Baptistery of San Giovanni has a gold mosaic ceiling, and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo behind the cathedral holds the original sculptures and Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise panels, together with Michelangelo's Florentine Pietà.
Entry to the cathedral itself is free, but the queue can be long. The dome, bell tower, Baptistery, crypt and museum are covered by combined passes sold on the official site, and the dome climb needs a timed reservation, which sells out days ahead in busy months. Both climbs involve several hundred steps with narrow passages and no lift, so they are not suitable for anyone with heart problems, vertigo or limited mobility. Shoulders and knees should be covered in the cathedral.
Allow an hour for the cathedral and Baptistery, about an hour for each climb, and an hour or two for the museum, which is often the least crowded part. Early morning is the best time for the climbs, both for cooler air and smaller crowds.
Piazza del Duomo is a five-minute walk from Piazza della Repubblica and about ten minutes from Santa Maria Novella station. The Galleria dell'Accademia and the Medici Chapels are each a short walk north.
Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and Brunelleschi’s Dome FAQs
Is it free to enter Florence Cathedral?
Yes, entry to the cathedral nave is free. The dome, bell tower, Baptistery, crypt and museum require a paid pass from the official site.
Do I need to book the dome climb?
Yes. Climbing Brunelleschi's dome requires a timed reservation, which is made when you buy a pass that includes it.
Who built the dome?
Filippo Brunelleschi, between 1420 and 1436. The lantern on top was completed after his death.
Is there a lift to the top?
No. The dome and the bell tower are both climbed on foot, with several hundred steps and some narrow, steep sections.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. Cover shoulders and knees and avoid hats inside the cathedral and Baptistery.
Where are the original Baptistery doors?
Ghiberti's original Gates of Paradise panels are in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo; the doors on the Baptistery are copies.
How long should I allow?
Half a day if you want to see the cathedral, climb the dome and visit the museum.
What is the best time to climb?
Early morning, when it is cooler and the passages are less crowded.