Florence Cathedral Guided Tour

A UNESCO World Heritage Site,
The Beautiful Duomo

The Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is one of the most famous and largest cathedrals in the world. The cathedral's appearance, with its massive dome and several magnificent buildings, is overwhelming. Santa Maria del Fiore means 'St. Mary of the Flower.' It goes very well with the meaning of Florence, the city where the cathedral is located, which means the city of flowers, right?

The first construction of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral began on September 8, 1296, and many architects devoted themselves to the construction of the cathedral, but due to several expansions and revisions, construction took place over centuries, and it was finally completed on March 25, 1436.

The exterior walls of the cathedral are covered with white, red, and green marble decorated with geometric and floral shapes. The sides are ornately decorated with elegant and diverse shapes of windows and sculptures. Take a stroll around the cathedral and admire it.

The Largest Stone Dome in the World

One of the things you shouldn't miss at the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is the dome. It is the largest stone dome in the world, both when it was built and to this day. If you have admired the magnificent appearance of the exterior, you should not miss the splendid ceiling paintings inside. 'The Last Judgment' painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari depicts numerous figures in detail.

A Masterpiece of Italian Architecture

The Baptistery of Saint John, facing the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, served as the center of religion and citizens of Florence even before the cathedral was built. It has become its current form through centuries of expansion work. Admire the doors of the Baptistery of Saint John, which are decorated with beautiful bronze.

Climb 414 Steps and Look Down on Beautiful Florence

The bell tower, created by Giotto, the most important artist at the time of construction, and named 'Giotto's Bell Tower,' has 414 steps. The reason why you have to go up even if it's hard is because you can enjoy the most wonderful panoramic view of Florence. It is said that there are a total of 12 bells and several sculptures decorated on Giotto's Bell Tower, so when you have a hard time climbing the stairs, take a break and admire the sculptures.