by Liam Hetherington

Manchester, United Kingdom

April 17, 2007

by VA_traveler

Dumfries, Virginia

March 9, 2007

by Grasshopper

Keystone, Colorado

May 18, 2005

by ggcahill

Mont Albert North, undefined, Australia

November 18, 2004

The dome, built by Brunelleschi, was the largest dome of its time built without a scaffolding. There are 463 steps to the top (I didn't actually count them, but that is the number mentioned!), and the climb provides the opportunity to see how the inner shell provides a platform for the timbers that support the outer shell.

The remains of a 4th-century church demolished in 1296 can be seen in the crypt. The baptistry is also thought to date from the 4th century.

This is another church that really does reward the visitor. I know there are other things to see in Italy besides churches, but this one is also worth a visit.

by Carmen

Cary, North Carolina

July 1, 2004

by akakd

, Arizona

August 31, 2003

by miriam1981

Cork, Ireland

August 8, 2003

It has beautiful pink, white and green marble and you can climb up the campanile and the cupola del duomo. From here you have a great view over the city.

It´s Florence's most famous and I think most beautiful historical monument, although in my opinion its interior left spare, almost barren but in return its outside is so much the better.

by roza4

Cinnaminson, New Jersey

September 14, 2002

The baptistry is much older than the cathedral and dates back to 4th century. It has very interesting mosaics along the dome once again showing the Last Judgment and this was the place where prominent Florentines were baptized. The North and East Doors are designed by Ghiberti who won the competition over Donatello and Brunelleschi. The competition panels are in Bargello museum which is absolutely a must see. It took Ghiberti 21 years to finish the North doors and 27 years to finish the East Door. The East Door is called the "Gate of Paradise" (the title came from Michelangelo) and after the flood of 1966 the original doors were moved into the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. The doors on the baptistry were replaced with copies. The 10 panels show the famous Bibleic stories with an amazing depth and when you look at them you tend to forget that these are bronze figures, they are so full of emotions. If you look carefully between the panels you will see Ghiberti’s own face looking at his creation.

by roza4

Cinnaminson, New Jersey

September 14, 2002

Baptistry is closed: Easter Sun, Dec 25
Florence's Duomo, also known as Santa Maria del Fiore, has become the symbol of Tuscany as it was intended by its creators; however, it took literally centuries to build. It is truly a magnificent site with its white, green and red or pink marble tiled walls and an amazing cupola. The Duomo, the baptistry and the large square in front of it were originally designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in the last decade of 13th century. By that time he already was famous as an architect of Santa Croce and Palazzo Vecchio. The façade layout and decorations are his vision. After his death, about 30 years later Giotto built the belltower or campanile for the cathedral that bears his name. Then he died, and Andrea Pisano continued the construction until he died from plague. He designed the South doors of the Baptistry and the two rows of terra-cotta panels with bas-reliefs on the campanile. In 1418 Filippo Brunelleschi won the competition for the cupola design, and the cupola that became the symbol of Tuscany was built in his lifetime. The construction technique that didn't use any supporting framework became the basis of Renaissance architecture. He copied the herring-bone pattern from the Pantheon to create his technique. Lorenzo Ghiberti won the competition for the design of the remaining doors of the baptistry. The façade of the Duomo, however, wasn't finished until the 19th century.

To get to the top of the dome you have to walk 463 steps and the dome is 296 ft tall, while the campanile is 20 ft shorter. This is still the tallest building in the city and its size and appearance are unbelievable. The green, white and red marble tiles on the façade are very typical of Tuscany. A lot of churches are clad like that and you won’t see this type of design anywhere else in Italy. The cupola is covered with frescoes of Vasari’s "Last Judgment" which are in rather good shape and are very impressive especially with the light coming through the opening in the middle. The cathedral has very beautiful marble floors with gorgeous patterns, some showing concentric circles, some octagonal shapes, some rosettes. On the right hand side five chapels have a miniature copy of the dome. All the windows have stained glass painted by famous artists of 15th century including Ghiberti.

by Defiant1

Mississauga, Ontario

January 31, 2002