Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)

This Basilica is the Cathedral (Duomo) of Florence. Located in the religious heart of the city: Piazza del Duomo its complex includes the Baptistry and Giotto's Campanile.

It's the 3rd largest cathedral in the world and its style express the bridging of Greek and Gothic architecture. But the beauty is not only outside, but also inside, where you can see all marble floors and yawning aisles, shaped to appear like a gigantic cross. Most of the art masterpieces are now in the museums across the square, but you can still find a few of them inside, for example Donatello's stained glass window. Don't forget its gigantic and beautiful cupola visible from every street.

Once you are visiting Santa Maria del Fiore, go to the Baptistery and take a close look to the doors and mosaics.

Campanille: I highly recommend you to climb to it. While you are climbing you'll find hexagonal medallions and 2 floors with gothic windows. Fro the top you will get one of the best views of the city and surrounding countryside. This is a 414 steps climbing with an extra cost, but totally worth!

Hours:
Baptistery: 12m-7pm, with a cheap fee.
Giotto Bell tower: 8:30am-7:30pm, with a fee.

Just image being witness of a glowing orange sunset...

The CATHEDRAL ("Duomo") is dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore and is typical of Italian Gothic architecture. The present building was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (1245-1302), one of the greatest architect-sculptors of his age. Finished in around 1367 it was completely covered with coloured marbles like the earlier Baptistery, earlier Baptistery, although the uncompleted facade was given its covering in the nineteenth century.Inside are several important works of art, offset by the architecture's taut Gothic forms, completely different from medieval buildings north of the Alps. Of primary importance are the two frescoes on the right-hand wall showing the equestrian monuments of the "condottieri" (generals) by Paolo Uccello (1436) and Andrea del Castagno (1456).

Many of the sculptures from the Duomo are now kept in the Museum of the "Opera del Duomo" but others are still in place, such as the lunettes by Luca della Robbia above the doors of the Sacristy or the bronze door of the Mass Sacristy and the great Pietà by Michelangelo. The splendid stained glass windows should not be forgotten, mainly executed from 1434-1445 to the designs of such important artists as Donatello, Andrea del Castagno and Paolo Uccello. Also notable are the wooden inlays of the Sacristy cupboards to the designs of Brunelleschi, Antonio Del Pollaiolo and others.