Duomo monument complex

Duomo Monumental Complex

Let’s find out the charm of Duomo, the concentration of the architecture in the Italian Renaissance!

Duomo Monumental Complex

Hello, travellers? Welcome to Florence, the best historical place you can feel the Renaissance era, the centre of arts!

‘The most important building in the world!’

A Duomo is an Italian word for a cathedral, or a Catholic church where the bishop is. However here in Florence, Duomo is made of several components, not just the Cathedral. 

Why you need to visit Duomo?

Italy was full of city-states operating as independent governments when Duomo was built. As a result they competing each other, the motivation made them to achieve the richest and most powerful culture in the area.

By constructing massive buildings that required lots of money, manpower, and technological innovation. Meanwhile it took decades to build and centuries to decorate with statues and paintings, many of famous Artists dedicated their art desire into it from generation to generation. This era of competition, art, inventions, war, and religious fervor was called the Italian Renaissance, which lasted from roughly the 1300s through the 1500s.

What you must see in Duomo Complex?

1. Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral(Duomo)

Santa Maria del Fiore was built on the site of  Saint Reparata which was rusty and crumbling with age. Moreover, it had not enough space to serve the growing population in the city. So that, the huge Duomo plan had started as the people’s wish.

The new church was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio and he started the construction on 9th September 1296. Even though there was a few interruption caused by the death of the Arnolfo in 1302 and the black death in 1348, the cathedral finally was completed in 1418 without the dome.  There was lots of efforts from many talented Architect such as Giotto di Bondone, Francesco Talenti, and many others in the end.

2. Brunelleschi's Dome

This majestic Brunelleschi’s Dome is one of the icon in Duomo and also, the largest masonry construction ever built. 

The dome was built without employing centring (a wooden or iron structure) to support the masonry. The journey of making the dome overcoming the scepticism of his fellow citizens wasn’t easy. But in the ends, Brunelleschi made a genious achievement of Italian Renaissance history making innovated solutions and became a one of the great Architect. 

 

Stained-glass windows

Stained-glass windows

Duomo has 44 stained glass windows, mostly in the 14th and 15th century. In addition, Those are the works of the greatest Florentine artists of their times, such as Donatello, and Andrea del Castagno.

Clock

Clock
by Paolo Uccello

It was made by Paolo Uccello in 1443. This one-handed liturgical clock shows the 24 hours of the hora italica (Italian time). This timetable was used until the 18th century. It still exist and are in working order.

Marble choir

Marble choir
by Bandinelli

The choir enclosure is the work of the famous Bartolommeo Bandinelli. 

Fresco by Vasari

This fresco painted in interior of the dome was representation of The Last Judgment. 

It was started in 1568 by Giorgio Vasari and would last till 1579 by Federico Zuccari.

3. Baptistery

The Baptistery is directly located to the opposite the front of the Duomo cathedral.

This Florentine Romanesque style Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in the city, built between 1059 and 1128.

The Baptistery has its three sets of bronze doors. And the famous artists created each part of doors. For example, The south doors were by Andrea Pisano and the north and east doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti. In addition, Michelangelo dubbed the east doors as the Gates of Paradise.

4. Opera del Duomo

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The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (Museum of the Works of the Cathedral) is in front of the Duomo cathedral. It is containing many of the original works of art created for the Santa Maria del Fiore(Duomo).

It opened in 1891, and now houses what has been called “one of the world’s most important collections of sculpture.”

5. Giotto's Campanile​

 Giotto di Bondone started to build the campanile next to the Duomo cathedral in 1334.

After he died, his assistant Andrea Pisano took over the job and completed by Francesco Talenti in 1359.

The campanile is 84.7 metres (277.9 ft) tall divided into five stages.

That is to say, when you reach out to the top by climbing 414 steps, you will see the scenic panorama of Florence and the surrounding hills.

5. Giotto's Campanile​

6. Crypt

The crypt inside of the Duomo cathedral was excavated difficultly between 1965 and 1974. And it changed the archaeological history. This huge area remains of Roman houses, an early Christian pavement, ruins of the former cathedral of Santa Reparata and successive enlargements of this church.

Also, the tomb of Brunelleschi is near the entrance. 

What you can find in Ticket Here?

Florence “Duomo Monumental Complex” Guided Tour

An incomparable journey into art, history, faith and mystery!

This guided tour is embracing all the monuments on the world-famous Piazza del Duomo: from the Cathedral of Santa maria del Fiore, to the Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the St. John’s Baptistery and the Museum of the Works of the Cathedral. 

Duration: 1.5 hours

Please click the picture for booking

 

Florence “Opera del Duomo Museum” Guided Visit

A guided tour of The “Opera del Duomo “ Museum (Museum of the Works of the Cathedral)

You will learn an immense collection of 750 sublime works of art created over the centuries to decorate both the inside and outside of the Cathedral, Baptistery and Bell Tower, all housed at the “Opera del Duomo” and set in an enormous, brand new, breathtaking setting.

Duration: 1.5 hours plus tasting

Please click the picture for booking

Special Visit to Florence Cathedral with exclusive opening of its Terrace

A guided tour including the exclusive terraces of the Cathedral.

You can enjoy your first-row position on the magnificent scenery surrounding you, dominated by the amazing Brunelleschi’s Dome.

Duration: 1 hour plus tasting

Please click the picture for booking

 

Inside Florence Duomo: Guided Visit with direct and dedicated access

A guided tour of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral including the ticket of Museo della Misericordia.

In the precious Museo della Misericordia, you can admire works by Santi di Tito, Benedetto da Maiano, Sano di Pietro, Bachiacca, Sogliani, G. Battista Naldini and many other important artists.

Duration: 1 hour (30mins in Cathedral + 30mins in Museo)

Please click the picture for booking

Direct Access & Guided Tour to Florence Duomo,its Dome & Terrace and Duomo Complex App Guide

A guided tour including Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and its panoramic north terrace, an exclusive Brunelleschi’s Dome. 

After the tour, you are free to enjoy the monuments with guide app which provides upon check-in.

 

Duration: 1 hour

Please click the picture for booking

How to get to Duomo complex?

Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

17, 20, 25, 301A, 31, 32, 6, VIB

R

T1, T2

Duomo complex Q&A

When is the opening in Duomo Cathedral?

The Cathedral closes Sunday mornings and key religious days like Easter Sunday.

Generally open from 10am – 5pm

Thursdays: 10am – 4/5pm (varies on season)

Saturdays: 10am – 4:45pm

Sundays and religious Holidays: 1:30 – 4:45pm

During Holy week

Holy Thursday: 12:30 – 4:30pm

Good Friday: 10:30am – 4:30pm

Holy Saturday: 11am – 4:45pm

Closed on January 1, Epiphany, Easter, Christmas Day

When is the opening of other monuments?

The Dome opens at 8.30am and closed all day Sundays.

The Bell Tower opens at 8.30am also and climb 414 steps (no lifts).

The Crypt opens at 10am and closed all day Sundays and can close at any time for religious events.

The Baptistery opens most days at 11.15am.

The Opera Museum opens at 9am all day, but closed Sunday afternoons.

Is Duomo free for the entry?

Entry to the Cathedral is free!

Though, the other attractions require a ticket for which there is a charge.

You can buy tickets at ticket offices around the Duomo.

How many stairs to reach the top?

* Number of steps to reach the top of each monument:

Brunelleschi’s Dome: 463

Giotto’s Bell Tower: 414

* Manner makes good experience *

Access to the Duomo Cathedral allows only if equipped with suitable clothing: forbidden entry with shorts(the length should be to the knee), bare shoulders, sandals, hats and sunglasses.

Access to the Dome, the Campanile and the museum doesn’t allow with bulky bags and backpacks.

The cloakroom locates at the ticket office of the Museum Opera del Duomo.

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