Florence Duomo

Inside this guide

1. 01Welcome to the Heart of FlorenceWelcome to the Heart of Florence: Welcome to Piazza del Duomo, the spiritual and artistic beating heart of Florence. As you stand here, you are looking at the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, better known simply as the Duomo.
2. 02The Facade's Secret IdentityThe Facade's Secret Identity: Look closely at the main facade of the cathedral—the elaborate wall facing you. While it looks perfectly matched to the rest of the building, it is actually a bit of a trick.
3. 03Brunelleschi’s Impossible DomeBrunelleschi’s Impossible Dome: Now, let your eyes travel up to that massive, terracotta-red dome. This is the masterpiece of Filippo Brunelleschi, and for a long time, people thought it was literally impossible to build.
4. 04The Infinite View InsideThe Infinite View Inside: When you step inside the cathedral, you might be surprised by how simple and bare it feels compared to the colorful exterior.
5. 05A Square of WondersA Square of Wonders: As you move through the piazza, notice how the Duomo interacts with its neighbors. To your left stands Giotto’s Bell Tower, a slender masterpiece of the same colorful marble, and directly in front of the cathedral doors is the octagonal Baptistery of Saint John.