{"id":16967,"date":"2021-08-19T16:27:58","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T15:27:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=16967"},"modified":"2026-01-08T12:36:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:36:04","slug":"florence-cathedral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral","title":{"rendered":"Florence Cathedral: What to see, top tips for visiting and more"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Florence Cathedral has been called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/magazine\/article\/Il-Duomo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cboth the birthplace and proving ground of the Renaissance\u201d.<\/a>\u00a0 A building that combines extreme scientific innovation with sublime religious art could not help but be the most significant structure in Florence, and indeed, one of the most significant structures in the world.<\/p>\n<p>The Florence Cathedral is a masterwork of many men working over the course of many years to create something that would proclaim the wealth, ambition, and erudition of Florence. In order to do so they recovered lost knowledge, pioneered new types of painting, competed ferociously among themselves and eventually triumphed in one of the most improbable stories in the history of architecture.<\/p>\n<p>The Florence Cathedral might not be the largest or the prettiest, but the accumulated knowledge that it represents make it one of a kind.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21002\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21002\" class=\"wp-image-21002 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/rsz_florence.jpg\" alt=\"The sun setting over beautiful Florence with the duomo rising above the red rooftops.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/rsz_florence.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/rsz_florence-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21002\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The sun setting over beautiful Florence with the duomo rising above the red rooftops is a sight to behold!<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#What_To_See_When_Visiting_Florence_Cathedral\" >What To See When Visiting Florence Cathedral<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#The_Dome\" >The Dome<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#The_Funerary_Monument_of_Sir_John_Hawkwood\" >The Funerary Monument of Sir John Hawkwood<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#The_Original_Facade_Penitent_Magdalene_and_Michelangelos_other_Pieta\" >The Original Fa\u00e7ade, Penitent Magdalene and Michelangelo\u2019s other Pieta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#The_Baptistery_Doors\" >The Baptistery Doors<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#FAQ%C2%B4s_and_Tips_for_Visiting_the_Florence_Cathedral\" >FAQ\u00b4s and Tips for Visiting the Florence Cathedral<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#What_are_the_Opening_Times\" >What are the Opening Times?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#How_Much_Are_Tickets\" >How Much Are Tickets?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#Are_There_Specific_Rules_for_Entry\" >Are There Specific Rules for Entry?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/florence-cathedral\/#When_Is_The_Best_Time_the_See_Florence_Cathedral\" >When Is The Best Time the See Florence Cathedral?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_To_See_When_Visiting_Florence_Cathedral\"><\/span>What To See When Visiting Florence Cathedral<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Dome\"><\/span><strong>The Dome<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For some 500 years (until the modern era) the Dome of the Florence Cathedral was the largest in the world. It\u2019s still the largest brick dome in the world and the story of how it was built is one of the most fascinating in the history of architecture (to learn more, check out our post on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/7-things-didnt-know-incredible-florence-duomo\">7 Things You Didn&#8217;t Know About the Incredible Florence Duomo<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>It was built by Filippo Brunelleschi by literally recovering architectural knowledge that had been lost since antiquity. Through detailed studies of Roman ruins and plenty of his own calculation, Brunelleschi gave the cathedral the most impressive roof in the world at the time. Today, it stands as a monument to human achievement as well as the intellectual and aesthetic currents that created the Renaissance.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_23458\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23458\" class=\"wp-image-23458 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_VIP-David-Duomo_0106.jpg\" alt=\"The interior of Florence's Duomo can be seen while on a walking tour of the Duomo.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_VIP-David-Duomo_0106.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_VIP-David-Duomo_0106-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23458\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The interior of Florence Cathedral, referred to as the Duomo is not only stunning, but an engineering feat!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Florence Cathedral begun in 1296 and mostly completed in just over 100 years; the problem was the Dome. The project\u2019s overseers knew what they wanted \u2013 the largest dome in the world \u2013 the problem was building it.<\/p>\n<p>This was particularly vexing because the rest of the church was already built and they either had to make good on their ambition or endure a church that was open to the elements 365 days a year. They HAD to build the biggest than the world had ever known. And so they did what all Renaissance Italians did in times of doubt: they held a competition.<\/p>\n<p>Thus enters the diminutive hero of our story, Filippo Brunelleschi, a man described by the Art Historian Giorgio Vasari as \u201csmall and insignificant in appearance,\u201d but the type of person \u201cwith spirits to full of greatness and hearts of such boundless courage that they have no peace until they undertake difficult and almost impossible tasks and bring them to completion\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Brunelleschi had already single-handedly \u201cdiscovered\u201d the rules of linear perspective, and along with his friend Donatello, spent a few years in Rome studying ancient ruins to learn design techniques long thought lost. He presented a design in the competition that seemed to be the answer to everyone\u2019s problems. The only issue was that he wouldn\u2019t tell anyone how it worked, for fear of having his idea stolen.<\/p>\n<p>Simply put, he would create two domes, one inside the other like a Russian doll. The walls would be encased in tension rings, like the rings on a barrel, and the bricks would be arranged in herringbone patterns to ensure even greater structural strength.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16977\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16977\" class=\"wp-image-16977 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Photo-Aug-10-5-40-00-AM-1.jpg\" alt=\"Florence Cathedral: Dome\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16977\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The climb up can be hard work, especially in the heat of summer, but the views are an incredible reward!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>He built special scaffolds to keep his workmen from falling, invented an entirely new lifting mechanism to pull building materials off the ground, and even created a special stew to feed his workers that still popular to this day in Florence, and he did it all while feuding bitterly with his co-superintendent, Lorenzo Ghiberti, who had beaten him in the previous contest to design the doors of the Florence Baptistery.<\/p>\n<p>On March 25 1436, the project was finished and Pope Eugenius IV consecrated the cathedral, which now possessed the largest Dome ever known. Today, you can go all the way to its top to look out over the city but don\u2019t forget that the real marvel is sitting right beneath your feet.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_23422\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23422\" class=\"wp-image-23422 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0080.jpg\" alt=\"The guide leads a group along a narrow exterior walkway of the Florence Cathedral, with the massive dome rising beside them under a blue sky.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0080-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0080-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23422\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Access exterior walkways on the rooftops via exclusive access with our tour groups.<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong>Insider Tip : We run the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/florence-tours\/vip-florence-duomo-cathedral\/\">VIP Florence Duomo: Exclusive Access to Cathedral, Terraces &amp; Dome Climb<\/a>\u00a0that gives you\u00a0access to otherwise closed off areas to the general public.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Funerary_Monument_of_Sir_John_Hawkwood\"><\/span><strong>The Funerary Monument of Sir John Hawkwood<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The funerary monument \u2013 actually a fresco, you might notice \u2013 is an interesting piece of art more for what it doesn\u2019t do than for what it does. Namely, it doesn\u2019t use perspective correctly. If you look at the horse and rider, they appear at one angle while the pedestal they stand atop appears at another.<\/p>\n<p>Although mathematically-determined linear perspective would have been known to the artist, Paolo Uccello, he wasn\u2019t able to employ it properly in the painting. Given that its subject was a somewhat unsavory mercenary who spent most of his professional life riding around Europe fighting, or not fighting in certain cases, for whoever would pay him enough money, the mistake doesn\u2019t overly tragic.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16972\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16972\" class=\"wp-image-16972 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/facade-BestFlorence-31.jpeg\" alt=\"Facade of Florence Cathedral\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16972\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Facade of Florence Cathedral is intricate and impressive<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Original_Facade_Penitent_Magdalene_and_Michelangelos_other_Pieta\"><\/span><strong>The Original Fa\u00e7ade, Penitent Magdalene and Michelangelo\u2019s other Pieta<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many people don\u2019t know that the fa\u00e7ade of the Florence Cathedral is not the one that was originally designed by the Cathedral\u2019s main architect, Arnolfo di Cambio. His was a stunning font piece featuring works by Donatello and Nanni di Branco among others.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, he died before it could be finished and it was eventually torn down. Luckily for present-day visitors, the curators and artisans behind the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/why-you-need-to-visit-florences-incredible-new-museum-il-grande-museo-del-duomo\">Duomo Museum<\/a> have, after some impressive historical detective work, managed to reconstruct the fa\u00e7ade, which they have put on display in the Museum. Across from it, in their original orientation, are Ghiberti\u2019s actual baptistery doors (the ones outside that everyone crowds around and touches are replicas).<\/p>\n<p>30 years of penitence in the desert is enough to ruin anyone\u2019s skin. For proof, look no further Donatello\u2019s Penitent Magdalene (Maddalena Penitente), but don\u2019t say we didn\u2019t warn you. This wood sculpture is one of the strangest and most hyper-realistic images produced by the entire Renaissance, in it the bible\u2019s most famous prostitute appears drawn, emaciated, ravaged by the elements, slightly macabre, and nothing less than utterly compelling.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_8410\" style=\"width: 685px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8410\" class=\"wp-image-8410 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/675px-Donatello_maria_maddalena_02.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"675\" height=\"900\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-8410\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Long considered a peerless study in anatomy, Donatello&#8217;s Penitent Magdalen never fails to both disquiet and impress.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If it\u2019s pathos you want, look no further than one of the greatest failures in art history, Michelangelo\u2019s unfinished Pieta. It was intended to be a sculpture similar to his masterpiece in St. Peter\u2019s Cathedral but instead of adorning a church, it would sit atop his tomb. A notorious perfectionist, Michelangelo eventually grew unhappy with the way it was going and took a hammer to it.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s rare to be able to peek inside the shortcomings of a great mind, but that\u2019s exactly what this half-finished sculpture affords you.\u00a0Both the Penitent Magdalene and Piet\u00e1 sit inside the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/why-you-need-to-visit-florences-incredible-new-museum-il-grande-museo-del-duomo\">Grand Museo del Duomo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Baptistery_Doors\"><\/span><strong>The Baptistery Doors<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>With all the time he spent annoying Brunelleschi during the building of the Duomo, it\u2019s often forgotten that Lorenzo Ghiberti was a master in his own right. In fact, he was one of the top artists of the entire Italian Renaissance and it was the commission for his two masterpieces \u2013 the Florence Baptistery Doors &#8211; that tipped off his entire feud with Brunelleschi in the first place.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16971\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16971\" class=\"wp-image-16971 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/florence-baptistery-bronze-doors.jpeg\" alt=\"Florence Baptistery Bronze Door\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16971\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Learn more about the Baptistery Bronze Door from local expert guides.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>He actually created two sets of doors, the first depicting scenes from the new testament and the second, more famous set, depicting scenes from the Old Testament. It was this second set, which is more naturalistic and makes better use of perspective that Michelangelo nicknamed the \u201cGates of Paradise\u201d. Interestingly, the Gates of Paradise that currently sit on the baptistery are replicas. If you want to see the real ones you have to go into the Duomo Museum.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ%C2%B4s_and_Tips_for_Visiting_the_Florence_Cathedral\"><\/span><strong>FAQ\u00b4s and Tips for Visiting the Florence Cathedral<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_Opening_Times\"><\/span><strong>What are the Opening Times?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Visitors to The Florence Cathedral will find that it\u2019s actually divided into 6 separate parts \u2013 the Cathedral, the Dome, the Baptistry, the Bell Tower, the Crypt, and the Museum. This being Italy, each of those parts has a different opening times depending on the day of the week.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, the <a href=\"https:\/\/operaduomofirenze.skiperformance.com\/en\/store#\/en\/support\/service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Duomo museum website<\/a> has an easy-to-use calendar that lets you see the opening hours of all 6 areas for whichever day you would like to go.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Are_Tickets\"><\/span><strong>How Much Are Tickets?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Entrance to the Cathedral itself is free (just queue in front of the facade), however, if you want to see the works of art in the Museum, climb to the top of the dome, enter the Baptistery, and\/or climb to the top of the ticket costs varies from \u20ac5 to \u20ac20. Children from 7 to 14 years old only pay a reduced price and children under 7 are allowed free entrance. Please check the <a href=\"https:\/\/operaduomofirenze.skiperformance.com\/en\/store#\/en\/support\/prices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Duomo museum<\/a> website for full details of ticket prices.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_There_Specific_Rules_for_Entry\"><\/span><strong>Are There Specific Rules for Entry?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are a number of rules for visiting, which are along the lines of general etiquette for public places.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Open food and drinks are not permitted in the cathedral.<\/li>\n<li>Cellular phones must be turned off or set to silent.<\/li>\n<li>Photos are allowed but only without flash. No tripods or selfie sticks.<\/li>\n<li>Like the rest of the museums in Florence you aren\u2019t allowed to enter with a large suitcase. Unlike many of the museums, there is not coat check where you can leave it so plan accordingly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Is_The_Best_Time_the_See_Florence_Cathedral\"><\/span><strong>When Is The Best Time the See Florence Cathedral?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the high season (roughly May through September) the Florence Cathedral stands side by side with the Vatican on the list of longest wait times in Italy \u2013 with waits of up to two hours to enter the cathedral and another two hours to climb to the top of the dome.<\/p>\n<p>However, it\u2019s worth mentioning that you can walk directly into the museum on any day of the week and the line for the bell tower is usually shorter than the one for the dome climb. Another thing to bear in mind is that the bell tower has 414 steps and the dome climb has 463. Neither have elevators. It takes a very hearty soul (with strong legs, to boot) to make climbs like these in the middle of an Italian summer.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23423\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0146.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people on a tour of the Duomo taking the the spacious interior.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0146.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0146-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0146-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"549\">Ready to experience the Florence Duomo in a way most visitors never do?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"549\"><strong data-start=\"72\" data-end=\"130\">Walks of Italy offers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/florence-tours\/\">a range of expertly guided tours<\/a><\/strong> <strong>that let you explore Florence Cathedral with deeper insight, skip-the-line entry, and unforgettable perspectives.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"549\">Whether that\u2019s standing beneath Brunelleschi\u2019s dome, climbing to panoramic viewpoints, or accessing exclusive terrace areas closed to the general public.\u00a0From walking tours that include the Duomo to immersive full-day itineraries, there\u2019s an option for every travel style and schedule.\u00a0For something truly special, upgrade to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/florence-tours\/florence-duomo-tour-climb\/\">VIP Duomo experience <\/a>with early-morning or after-hours access, dome climbs, and behind-the-scenes areas that transform a visit into a once-in-a-lifetime memory.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"549\"><strong>If the Florence Cathedral is on your must-see list, booking a Walks of Italy guided tour is the best way to go beyond the crowds and discover the Duomo\u2019s history, art, and architecture in a far more meaningful way.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Florence Cathedral has been called \u201cboth the birthplace and proving ground of the Renaissance\u201d.\u00a0 A building that combines extreme scientific innovation with sublime religious art could not help but be the most significant structure in Florence, and indeed, one of the most significant structures in the world. The Florence Cathedral is a masterwork of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":16972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[149],"tags":[87,68,20,64,63],"ppma_author":[189],"class_list":["post-16967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions","tag-architecture","tag-art","tag-attractions","tag-florence","tag-trip-planning"],"authors":[{"term_id":189,"user_id":82,"is_guest":0,"slug":"beatricem","display_name":"Beatrice M.","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Beatrice-Marino.png","url2x":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Beatrice-Marino.png"},"user_url":"","last_name":"M.","first_name":"Beatrice","job_title":"","description":"Beatrice, a native of Florence, is passionate about four things: travel, writing, cooking, and eating. As an avid traveler and travel writer, she has embarked on countless adventures throughout Italy and beyond, immersing herself in different cultures and documenting her experiences along the way. 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