Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral), Florence (must see)
Presiding over the city of Florence, the Duomo Cathedral is a Renaissance masterpiece renowned for its magnificent masonry dome, which holds the distinction of being the largest in the world. Completed in 1465, this double-shell structure is a remarkable feat of engineering, entirely self-supporting.
The construction of the Gothic-style Cathedral itself was a monumental endeavor that spanned nearly 170 years, starting in 1296. It wasn't until the mid-1400s that the project found its true champion in the architect Filippo Brunelleschi, who was tasked with completing what others had deemed impossible. Drawing inspiration from the engineering solutions used in the dome of the Pantheon in Rome, Brunelleschi conducted extensive experiments with large-scale models and innovative, specially-designed machinery.
One of his notable inventions was a system of machines and lewises specifically designed to lift enormous stones and hoist the immense weight of over 37,000 tons of materials, including more than 4 million bricks. Fascinated by Brunelleschi's machinery, the young apprentice Leonardo da Vinci made a series of sketches, often mistakenly attributed to him as the actual inventor. Nonetheless, Brunelleschi's name endured, and today a monumental statue of the architect stands proudly in the piazza in front of the Cathedral.
Inside the Dome, just before the presbytery, on the left aisle wall, you will find the fresco "Dante and the Divine Comedy" by Domenico di Michelino. Created in 1465 to commemorate the poet's bicentenary, this painting portrays Dante (1265-1321) holding a copy of his renowned "Divine Comedy", depicting the entrance to Hell, the seven terraces of Mount Purgatory, and the spheres of Heaven above. Interestingly, the fresco also includes depictions of Florence as it appeared in the 15th century, even though Dante himself could never have seen these scenes during his lifetime. This makes the painting a valuable historical artifact. To view it up close, you must ascend approximately 450 steps on the narrow and winding staircase that circles the Dome's interior.
The mixture of marbles seen outside is just as outstanding. It showcases an extraordinary combination that creates a stunning visual effect resembling a work of painted art rather than solid stone.
Tip:
When purchasing your ticket online, take advantage of the complimentary ticket that includes access to the top of the dome. From there, you can step out and enjoy a panoramic view of Florence, the surrounding Tuscan countryside, and the majestic mountains. Keep in mind that you will need to make a separate booking for the dome climb, which is free of charge.
The construction of the Gothic-style Cathedral itself was a monumental endeavor that spanned nearly 170 years, starting in 1296. It wasn't until the mid-1400s that the project found its true champion in the architect Filippo Brunelleschi, who was tasked with completing what others had deemed impossible. Drawing inspiration from the engineering solutions used in the dome of the Pantheon in Rome, Brunelleschi conducted extensive experiments with large-scale models and innovative, specially-designed machinery.
One of his notable inventions was a system of machines and lewises specifically designed to lift enormous stones and hoist the immense weight of over 37,000 tons of materials, including more than 4 million bricks. Fascinated by Brunelleschi's machinery, the young apprentice Leonardo da Vinci made a series of sketches, often mistakenly attributed to him as the actual inventor. Nonetheless, Brunelleschi's name endured, and today a monumental statue of the architect stands proudly in the piazza in front of the Cathedral.
Inside the Dome, just before the presbytery, on the left aisle wall, you will find the fresco "Dante and the Divine Comedy" by Domenico di Michelino. Created in 1465 to commemorate the poet's bicentenary, this painting portrays Dante (1265-1321) holding a copy of his renowned "Divine Comedy", depicting the entrance to Hell, the seven terraces of Mount Purgatory, and the spheres of Heaven above. Interestingly, the fresco also includes depictions of Florence as it appeared in the 15th century, even though Dante himself could never have seen these scenes during his lifetime. This makes the painting a valuable historical artifact. To view it up close, you must ascend approximately 450 steps on the narrow and winding staircase that circles the Dome's interior.
The mixture of marbles seen outside is just as outstanding. It showcases an extraordinary combination that creates a stunning visual effect resembling a work of painted art rather than solid stone.
Tip:
When purchasing your ticket online, take advantage of the complimentary ticket that includes access to the top of the dome. From there, you can step out and enjoy a panoramic view of Florence, the surrounding Tuscan countryside, and the majestic mountains. Keep in mind that you will need to make a separate booking for the dome climb, which is free of charge.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral) on Map
Sight Name: Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour
The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest 鈥� albeit also most controversial 鈥� of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities 鈥� including the banishing of several rivals 鈥� led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, 鈥淭he Divine Comedy鈥�, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
The city of Florence was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC as a settlement for veteran soldiers. It was built initially in the style of an army garrison 鈥� with main streets intersecting at today's Piazza della Repubblica. The original name, Fluentia, stems from its location between the two rivers; later, it was renamed Florentia, which means 鈥渇lowering鈥� or 鈥渇lourishing鈥�.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Florence Food Tour
Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here 鈥� besides the abundant variety 鈥� is not having to spend a lot of money for it.
In general, the 鈥渙sterias鈥� and the eateries nestled in Sant鈥橝mbrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
In general, the 鈥渙sterias鈥� and the eateries nestled in Sant鈥橝mbrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Michelangelo spent over 20 years of his life in Florence 鈥� the birthplace of the Renaissance 鈥� during which time he created some of the most beautiful masterpieces the city had ever seen. The most famous of them 鈥� the David 鈥� was larger than life, and brought a larger-than-life image to the artist. No amount of photos or copies of the statue will do it justice, so to see it with your own... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour
The area south of Arno river, also called Oltrarno ("Beyond the Arno"), is a quieter place but not less interesting. Here you can find the Pitti Palace whose collection of paintings is second only to the Uffizi, and the vast Boboli Gardens once enjoyed by the Medici and the royal family. One of the first and most important examples of "Italian Gardens", they later served as... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
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