| What is it? |
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or Duomo di Firenze, is a majestic cathedral in the heart of Florence! |
| What makes it historical? |
This huge cathedral (third largest in the world) was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio and built over the old cathedrals of San Lorenzo and Santa Reparata between the late 1200s and early 1400s AD! It was a product of many interruptions and tragedies, as Signore di Cambio died 14 years into construction! It sat incomplete for 21 years until, of all groups, the Guild of Wool Manufacturers and Merchants revived the project, bringing on Giotto to build the bell tower, then Andrea Pisano to take over once Giotto died. Then the Black Death struck in 1348, and work stopped and started until 1412, when it was dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, a reminder that flowers bloom every year after even the harshest winter!
Today, the Duomo still houses the bodies of St. Zenobius (first bishop of Florence and its patron) and the famed architect, Filippo Brunelleschi! It’s also famous for its golden baptistry doors, designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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| Where is this place? |
Piazza del Duomo
50122 Firenze, FI
Italy
From Firenze: ~2mi (4km) — 0.1hrs
From Napoli: ~295mi (475km) — 5hrs
From Roma: ~171mi (276km) — 2.9hrs
From Venezia: ~161mi (260km) — 2.7hrs |
| When should I go? |
The Duomo is open from 10:00 AM until 4:30 PM Monday through Saturday and from 1:30 PM until 4:30 PM on Sundays! It’s closed on the first Tuesday of the month, though, so don’t try to go inside on that day! |
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