Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The Florence Cathedral, formally called the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is easily one of the top spots to visit in Firenze. When planning my trip to the city, I made it my intention to visit - and after researching some tours I found one that included a visit to cathedral, a visit to the nearby museum, and a climb to the top of the dome. The cathedral is in the shape of a cross laying on the ground, and the most prominent feature is the large dome in the center. At the time of its building it was the largest dome in Europe, and I think it's perhaps still the largest dome in the world that was built with brick. The cathedral itself is magnificent - the exterior is so intricate that it almost seemed like a painting to me. The best part of the interior for me are the stained glass ceilings and the paintings inside the dome which depict hell to heaven as you continue to look up. I recommend tickets if you're going to visit, especially if you want to climb the dome. Even if you don't go outside, it's a marvel to see from the exterior - take the time to visit if you're in the city.

The Florence Cathedral, Duomo di Firenze in Italian, formally the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. It was begun in the Gothic style and was structurally completed approximately 150 years later, with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The entrance to the church itself is free, although you'll expect a long waiting line. I want to share a quick trick to navigate faster is to get the combo tickets and go through the crypt line first, usually much shorter, and you'll be inside the church already after the crypt route.

This is the main church/cathedral in Florence so I would book a tour if you want to skip the line and walk up the dome. It's sometimes referred to as the Duomo. This church is so beautiful from the outside but honestly rather plain inside except for the dome. When we went the church benches were blocked off so no where to sit and pray. Not sure if this is normally the case or not. Either way the pictures do not do the cathedral justice. It's massive and stunning.

This is the church that is part of the Duomo the most visible and famous building in Firenze. It is huge inside and tall outside providing the city with its center. While this church is impressive looking from the outside, inside it's rather plain. Mammoth it is but drab too. The church offers free admission but the lines are ridiculously long. Honestly you could skip going inside in my opinion and just marvel at it from the outside. I went in on the Ghiberti Pass which cost money (through the Duomo website) and gives admission to the Baptistery and the Duomo Museum which I recommend. Pass holders are given a special timed entrance to the church through a side door. That is the only reason I went in. There is a crypt below the church that is included in the pass. If you arrive and plan to see it for free, if the line is long I'd recommend to skip it and just enjoy the exterior.

Absolutely beautiful! Definitely worth a visit. Try to time it for when you can enter it. Also, I'm told that going to the top is worth it.

I'm not one for architecture but this is an amazing display of architecture, paintings, sculptures and design. The main entrance is free and you can stand in line in the shade if you are there in the morning. Theres also a water refill station on the side so you can refill water bottles there. The lower part inside is for paid ticket holders but the main level is amazing without paying anything. Completely worth the 50 minute wait in line outside!

So I will not delve into a history lesson but this is the main Cathedral in Florence. It is a massive complex surrounded by a large open area and tons of shops. It also can be the most packed area at any given time in Florence as well. The supporting building like the Baptism annex and the Bell Tower have separate reviews. The main portion is simply massive. The huge dome which can be seen from almost anywhere in the city is awe inspiring. The interior is much like many of the other churches in Italy but the scale again is staggering. The ream gem for me at least is the underground area benieth the main floor where the evenb older part of the church has been opened up and was the highlight for me. Book early as I learned the hard way. I was not able to get up to the main dome as they were sold out. Despite that it is a must see.....

This is obviously a must-see spot when visiting Florence; the dome is so iconic, I think I remember even seeing a Nova episode about the architecture marvel...and yes, I had to look this up to fact-check myself just now and the episode aired in 2014. Anyway, the church is so impressive from the outside, it is worth just spending some time walking around. There were restoration efforts underway while we were there but still plenty of uncovered areas. The line to get in was long, but moved fast. This is not a highly decorated church inside, but definitely still worth going in to see the art under the dome and the architecture of the interior. Entry to the church is free, but you can purchase combination tickets for other areas. There isn't an option to just buy a ticket to the museum; you have to buy a package online. There was a ticket counter at the museum, but the person working at the entrance said no one has staffed the ticket counter for a long time. So...we just enjoyed our visit to the church and moved on.

We waited in line to enter this impressive cathedral for about an hour, so if you think you might want to visit this, I recommend reserving tickets in advance. Just walking around the outside of the cathedral was actually the most impressive part of the visit for me. The intricacies of the exterior were unbelievable. The details in the design and architecture make waiting in line not so bad. Surprisingly, the inside was very traditional and, as far as cathedrals go, simplistic. A few art pieces to admire along the walls and a very impressive ceiling fresco above the pulpit. The crypts below that have been excavated were interesting, and we definitely could have stayed down there longer if we'd used an audio tour or had a guide. As we were there without either, the signs have a bit of information to tell you what you're looking at, but nothing extensive. You can climb the bell tower, which we didn't have tickets for, and the Duomo. The 463 steps definitely require physical fitness, and the narrow passageways (that they do not control for ascending and descending for traffic) can become very crowded and claustrophobic. We enjoyed the climb and views from the top, though it was very hot inside on this warm summer day. Beautiful Duomo with lovely views of Florence, interesting museum and crypts, the cathedral itself was fine but I probably could have lived without seeing it. Make plenty of time to just walk around the exterior and soak in the details.

Constructed between 1296 and 1434 the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the 4th largest church in the world and a landmark of Florence. Free to enter after a short wait guests will find the expansive space constructed in late-gothic style with glass from Donatello and elaborate frescoes by Vasari decorating the dome.

We purchased the combo ticket like many others. We started with the bell tower. 414 steps to the top with people going both up and down the same small stairway. Beautiful views, especially of the duomo. Next we did the Baptistery. Unfortunately, they were refurbishing the ceiling and we were unable to see the most notable art, but there are several smaller pieces of golden art that are still beautiful to see. We only spent about 10 minutes in here. Next was the museum. It was cool to see how the cathedral had evolved over the years. The original doors of the baptistery are located here. Absolutely stunning. I liked how they were displayed as well so you can see both sides. Finally, we had the timed entry to climb the 463 steps to the Duomo. Since everything is timed, how long you can view the ceiling, how long you get to be on the outer viewing platform is all predetermined. Not allowed to stay longer. It's unfortunate as I would have liked to view the ceiling a bit longer. It was cool to be so close to the art so you could see the brush strokes on the wall and the size of the characters in the painting. Don't forget to walk around the outside of the cathedral. It's a beautiful building of marble. You can see why it is the church of flowers.

Absolutely stunning!!! When we rounded the corner and suddenly this was before us it was breathtaking and magical. Such an incredible site to see. If you're in Florence you can't not see this. Even if there is a wait to get inside, wait. It's worth it!

One of the best views in the city. You can buy the Bruneschellini Pass online in advance for 30 euros and need to book the stair climb for a specific time, while for the other attractions, you can visit whenever. There's no lift option. The staircase goes one way and spirals up - it's not good if you're afraid of heights or are claustrophobic. There's a section where you stop inside the Basilica and an outdoor area. There's no protective railing at the top aside from the fence. There are a few benches on top. They'll check your pass/ticket and then will go through security.

A must! In fact it's a must to not only do a tour and see inside, so you understand what you're looking at, but it's also a must to just go visit the baptistery, the cathedral and tower several times a day to see it in different shades of light. It's absolutely beautiful. But watch your pocketbook and your pockets! I know you want to save some money and not pay for it or organize a tour guide, but it really helps to understand what you're looking at. As amazing as it is to just bear witness, it's even more amazing when you hear the stories behind it. A little life, hack, if you plan to climb the tower or the dome make sure you get your tickets early because they sell out in High season. Also arrange to do it as the last entry of the day otherwise, it'll be extremely hot and crowded. You will definitely get a good butt workout. Also, and this goes for pretty much any big tourist city, the food around the best views is never that great. So if you choose to sit down at one of the cafés outside the cathedral, get something simple, like an iced latte or a spritz. The good food is usually off the beaten path.

The magnificent cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore Is the third largest church in the world. Inside the Gothic colorful church We saw gorgeous fresco's underneath the majestic dome. The dome or Domo is the largest Masonary structure ever built and an icon of Florence. The outer façade is covered in Carrera and Prado marble and the door of paradise is incredible.

If you're in, or traveling to, Florence, and looking for something to do or see then allow me recommend "the duomo". It's beautiful and definitely worth seeing. (note: I visited in mid-May) You can obtain tickets at one of the two sales offices, locations indicated on the signs located around the building, and you will probably have luck buying for one day in advance (I did - day-of was sold out but the next day was not). HOWEVER, a word of caution: double check you got the right ticket at the time you desired! (I bought for 8:30a and, despite seeing the agent select that time on the screen, I received a ticket for 3:30p... and they will NOT exchange if you come back after leaving) Buy a ticket based on what you want to see (€30 for the all-access "Brunelleschi Pass") and return at your designated time. In fact, I think you can use it at anytime after your entry time, up to two days later (but worth double-checking). Because of my ticket time snafu I only had time to climb the dome (absolutely incredible from inside and out) and the bell tower (also a fantastic climb). Be advised, it's a CLIMB up both (and the spaces are small...). Additionally I saw the baptistery which was also worth a look. Of the numerous sights to see in Florence I absolutely recommend this spot (and this is from a guy who really isn't into churches, per se).

Get the combo package. For 18€, you get the museum, crypt tour, clock tower tour, baptistery, and the climb to the top of the dome. You'll easily spend 3-4 hours by doing all the things listed above, but you can't miss out on the dome tour or the museum tour. You learn the history and see 360 degree views of the surrounding areas. The climb is a challenge for some. Especially if you're also going up the clock tower, which has some equally great views from the top. The climb to the dome will get congested at times, so you'll need to be patient. Baptistry is great. Museum is great. Clock tower is great. The crypt was just ok.

Admission is free, though you can pay for a ticket that includes the crypt, baptistry, bell tower, and dome. This cathedral is sort of the opposite of the Austrian Baroque churches. Those are pretty plain looking on the outside, but the interiors are jaw-droppingly gorgeous. This is stunning on the outside but relatively boring on the inside. The best thing here, in my opinion, is the cupola (dome) climb. It's very difficult physically and you have to arrive at the time assigned to you on your ticket. The masterpiece here, Giorgio Vasari's fresco of the Last Judgment, is best seen during the cupola climb.

Bellissima da vedere. visiting Firenze was just hands down amazing. There is so much to do around here and especially this beautiful dome is breathtaking.

Our first stop in Florence tour was here... truly an iconic Cathedral and Duomo.. We pre-purchased tickets for a small tour, so we met at an adjacent building and walked right in. I had read about the storied construction of the duomo, the plight of an ex- engineer ... hehe. Pictures really do not do it justice. Our tour leader was knowledgeable. We did not do the second leg of the climb, since I had far exceeded my tolerance for heights in the first leg... Grandparents and children went down... DD and SIL up. Amazing!

This dome is not only Florence's identity, but it also represents Italy along with other monuments. The list of Florence's tourist attractions can never be complete without a mention of this great artistic treasure that Italy proudly boasts of. This is one of the most famous cathedrals in Italy due in large part to its dome - the largest in the world from when it was built in 1431 until 1888. It's still the largest brick and mortar dome in the world and architects are still trying to figure out how the architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, pulled it off. You will have to strain your neck to see the church's massive, iconic dome. The red-tiled cupola was designed by Brunelleschi and is described as a must-see by experts and travelers alike. Though in the photo, it does not look big, but in reality, it's very huge and do I need to mention how beautiful it is. Outer walls art, it's so brilliant. This majestic cathedral features 600 years' worth of stunning architecture and artworks. From its beautiful Gothic facade of red, green and white marble to its elaborate interior of stained-glass windows, mosaics, frescoes and bronze statues. As you take a tour of the baptistery, its museum, the cathedral, and the bell tower, you will come across some of the best-known masterpieces of architecture and art by the greatest artists - Michelangelo, Giotto, Donatello, Brunelleschi, and Ghiberti. There is one ticket for all (Crypt, Museum, Belltower, Dome & Belltower) and that too is only 18 euros, so it's totally worth it if you are thinking about it. I also felt like the cathedral was designed inside-out: its exterior boasts intricate designs and breathtaking features while the interior is surprisingly plain. Yes when you get in, it feels like where am I? it was so extravagant from outside but inside it's like any normal church. if you have a ticket, you can get down to Crypt. The dome climb is one of the more popular attractions in Florence but in high season the line can stretch to over 2 hours.so folks get the ticket online with the time slot so that you can reach there on your ticket time and skip the line. Be aware that there is no elevator and some of the narrow walkways require you to stand to the side while people pass in the opposite direction. Also, I think this is not for the claustrophobic. Duomo complex also includes the impressive structures of the Baptistery and Giotto's bell tower. A climb to the top will reward tourists with incredible views of Florence and the outlying valley. Dome is totally dominating the panoramic view of Florence from Piazza Michelangelo. If you are an appreciator of art and architecture, this is one of the best places to see in Florence to visit. If you've never been before and only have one day in Florence you should at least walk around the outside of the cathedral to get a feel for its immensity and see the Gates of Heaven.

I visited this place in October 2019 and got to see it on the outside as well as the inside. I did not purchase the dome tour but enjoyed the architecture. I have visited many cathedrals but this is the most colorful that I've seen on the outside. I felt humbled to be here.

The Duomo is three things, the inside, the outside and the climb to the top. There is enough warning not to bother with the inside (rather basic). With the 40 deg temperature outside we didn't bother to climb. But the outside itself is just fantastic. Whether you are close up and look at the size or the white/green/rose marble or look from a distant (try the Piazzale Michelangelo) the Duomo is a fantastic sight.

Make sure to purchase a ticket in advance. This place gets packed and tickets get sold out fast. I highly recommend of booking it in advance.

After going the the Duomo in Milan earlier this week, and St Peter's this weekend, I found this one a tiny bit disappointing inside. The outside is more breathtaking to me, than the inside. Don't get me wrong, the inside is still impressive, but it just seems to open with not a lot of stained glass that you would expect in a cathedral this size. The admission is free, but the basement tombs require the purchase of a ticket. I gave a donation to light a candle on the candle tree which was cool.

If you can see only one thing in Florence, the Florence Cathedral or Duomo is not to be missed. The Cathedral is topped by the magnificent Dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, which has dominated Florence since its completion in 1436. Shortly after arriving in Florence, we had to stop by the Cathedral although it was already dusk. Seeing it for the first time is one of those sights you never forget - so much more magnificent (and huge!) than pictures convey. Make sure you have lots of spare memory in your phone for the tons of pictures you'll take. An evening visit is the best time to come, crowds are much more manageable then. When they say Florence is "intense" it undoubtedly refers to the daytime mass of people in the surrounding Piazza del Duomo - think New York's Times Square. During this time it's not easy taking good pictures, selfies or navigating close to the famous baptistery bronze doors. Although we would've liked seeing the Cathedral interior, without booking a tour it requires waiting in a line that seems to go on forever - an easy two hour wait. There were way better uses of our time in Florence than that line. Many wait in line to climb to the top of the Duomo for the great views. We researched this a lot in advance via YouTube, and didn't think our knees were up to it. If you are past your 30s make sure you're in great shape and not claustrophobic - the 463 stair climb is not for the faint of heart.

Unbelievably rude behavior from security. We were waiting in a line for a while. Then we see there's no beverages allowed. So we chug our coffees. Then there's a security checkpoint with a trash. So we were like good we can throw our trash in there. But the security guy starts yelling about the beverages. And we were like "it's just trash we are throwing it away". And then they were like "no that's the church trash not for your beverages" Which like okay but isn't it kinda ridiculous? Is our trash not good enough for your trash bin? It's a security checkpoint some things will need to be thrown away maybe have a security checkpoint dedicated trash. And he didn't have to be yelling that. We aren't dogs. So my brother was like "I can take care of it" which would entail him leaving the church and having to do the line again. So my brother is about to walk out then the security guy is like "fine okay throw it away". Then, we get through security and my mom takes a picture of my brother entering and this other security man starts freaking out and yelling at my poor mom. He was yelling "no photos no photos". Which is fine but you should either have a sign saying that, or just say it politely say it instead of yelling. And my mom says "okay okay sorry" and immediately deleted it infront of his eyes. But the man continues yelling saying "no photos penalty penalty" even though my mom had already apologized and deleted it. It is ironic bc of course they have a sign that says no yelling but all their security guards are yelling at the visitors. It's just crazy that this all happened in a place that is supposed to be welcoming. My mom ended up crying after the visit because they were just so awful. I'd recommend just visiting the outside.

This place is huge. In fact it is so large that it is impossible to get a photo of it from the piazza where it happens to be located. I actually remember watching a documentary hosted by Peter Weller (of the Robocop fame), where he talked about his PhD on Italian Renaissance Art (got to love an actor that goes and gets a PhD in something pretty cool). The church is certainly impressive, though of course all the other tourists seem to think exactly the same thing, so you will find yourself in a line. You can also climb to the top of the bell tower, something that I probably would not recommend to those who don't like stairs (or heights).

When in Florence, it's hard to avoid Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (translation "Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flowers). The Gothic style exterior on its own is so stunning and very elaborate with white, pink and green marble panels . The dome is said to be the largest brick dome ever constructed. While in Europe, we visited many cathedrals, and the interior of this one was not as impressive as the exterior to me, but you cannot help but admire the artwork of the Duomo (Giorgio Vasari's frescoes of the Last Judgment). The mosaic pavement inside is also a cool feature. Admission into the cathedral remains free. However, there may be a line as they don't let a large number of visitors enter the church at one time in order to keep noise levels down. 162/100 Reviews for 2015

Another beautiful church in Florence. It really is remarkable the construction and detail. It of course very busy and crowded but worth taking it all in.

You want to talk about the renaissance? This is it! You simply can't come to Florence and not go inside this church. Also known as the Il Duomo, it is the icon of the renaissance. It's sumptuously decorated in pink, green and white marble and it's expansive space occupies the whole Piazza Duomo dwarfing the restaurants and museos around it. I must admit that the interior isn't as impressive as the exterior, but Brunelleschi's famous dome highlighted by beautiful Italian al frescoes is definitely a sight to behold. It's still the largest masonry dome ever built. The cost to enter this cattedrale? FREE! Across the Il Duomo are the baptistry and the campanile (bell tower). I suggest climbing the bell tower's 414 steps (no elevators here!) to get a smashing view of both Florence AND the dome. It was raining hard the day of our visit, so I only had 10 seconds time to take a shot while out at the terrazzo, but still managed to quickly take in the views from above. Magnifico!

It is hard to imagine what the The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (English: Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower) is going to look like until you see it up close. I wasn't expecting the whole exterior of the Cathedral, Baptistry and Campanile to be covered in marble panels of green, pink and white with reliefs. See my photos. The Duomo or Dome is 300 feet high and can be seen throughout the city. The architectural style is Gothic-Renaissance and the architects were Arnolfo di Cambio and Filippo Brunelleschi. It was completed in 1436. The Campanile, or bell tower, is 276 feet high. When walking around Florence it is so nice to have such a huge landmark to help one find their way. I used it to get to the Galleria degli Uffizi my second day in Florence which really helped since my tour group had plans to go elsewhere and we were hoofing it. Finding our way back to the hotel was a different story. While I didn't have time to go inside the Duomo or climb to the top there are quite a few YouTube videos on that. It is 463 steps to the top of the Duomo. If I ever make it to Florence again I will definitely have to do that. Trivia: It is featured in Assassin's Creed II apparently. I don't play video games, but I may just have to check this out. I've gone over to the dark side.

Built in the 15th Century, admission is free to Santa Maria del Fiore (the Cathedral or "Duomo"), Italy's second largest church (after St. Peter's in Rome) and the third largest in the world (St. Paul's in London is the other). It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open from 10AM to 5PM Monday through Saturday and 1:30PM to 4:45PM on Sunday. The dome, bell tower, museum, and baptistery all charge to enter or you can buy a consolidated ticket on their website. The Museo dell'Opera is closed until November 2015 for renovations. The facade and dome of Santa Maria del Fiore is imposing and awe-inspiring, dominating the large piazza in which it stands it is so large that it is impossible to photograph the entire structure without a special lens. Its beautiful marble polychrome facade of greens, pinks, and whites is unlike any other I have seen. The interior is massive and spectacular, my favorite part being the massive dome completed in the 1460s with a fresco of the apostles who appear to be sitting on the edges with their legs dangling over the sides. Across from the Duomo entrance is the Baptistery of St. John. Until the 19th century, all Catholic Florentines were baptized here. The octagonal monument is distinguished by its geometric, colored-marble exterior and detailed interior mosaics. Admission is €5, but admiring the famous bronze doors (replica panels) carved with scenes from the Bible is free. This is one of the most impressive structures I have seen anywhere in the world and is a MUST SEE if visiting Italy. CombatCritic Gives Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore 10 Bombs Out Of 10

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (aka: Florence Cathedral or Il Duomo di Firenze) is one of the most stunning buildings in Florence! The Florence Cathedral is the main church of Florence and is located in the Piazza del Duomo. There are five major monuments in the complex of Santa Maria del Fiore: Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata inside Florence Cathedral, and the Historical Museum. The interior of the church is more impressive on the outside than the inside, but it is still worth checking out. The Gothic design on the interior makes the church seem empty and bare inside and many of the decorations have been lost or transferred to the museum. Entry into the church is free. A combo ticket for all five sights can be purchased for 10 Euros on this website: http://www.museumflorence.com/en Purchasing advance tickets does not allow you to skip the line and you must visit all five sights within 24 hours of visiting the first sight so I would suggest arriving early in the morning so you can avoid the lines. (This was our plan, but we had a late start in our day so we ended up having to wait in several long lines in the middle of the afternoon.) If you only have a day or two to visit Florence add the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore to your "must-see" list!

If you're ever in the city of Florence, it's impossible not to notice the massive church that engulfs the center of the city. It is a church dedicated to "St. Mary of the Flower", a tribute to the role of Mary in the Christian tradition. The flower can either represent Jesus, the "first fruit" or more allegorically the lily, the symbol of the city of Florence. Built atop the remains of what was once Santa Reparata, the Florentines experienced dramatic population growth and wanted to build a cathedral that would surpass the cathedrals of their Tuscan rivals Siena and Pisa. Not only did the Florentines surpass their rivals upon completion, today it is one of the largest churches in Italy. In actuality the "Piazza del Duomo" is considered to be a square/complex that consists of the following sites: 1. The cathedral itself. 2. The crypt of Santa Reparata, located underneath the cathedral. 3. The famous dome built by Brunelleschi. (https://www.yelp.com/biz/cupola-del-brunelleschi-firenze?hrid=19eRaMmjHfOd2OF-RyI_ug) 4. The bell tower built by Giotto. (https://www.yelp.com/biz/campanile-di-giotto-firenze?hrid=jpqgxJRBSMPHY37i2SuP_Q) 5. The baptistery of San Giovanni/St. John. (https://www.yelp.com/biz/battistero-di-san-giovanni-firenze?hrid=MxYGUi1W2AqD8ueU1oEGLg) 6. Opera del Duomo Museum. (https://www.yelp.com/biz/museo-dellopera-del-duomo-firenze-2?hrid=XROUJpy7kgfz4Nf-Qa_Xjg) Admission to #2-#6 is achieved through the purchase of Firenze Card or a €18 combo-ticket that allows the holder single admission to all sights within a 72-hour period, which also includes wifi. While admission to the cathedral is free, avoiding the line is impossible unless one purchases a tour. Dress code: modest attire (ie. no sleeveless tops nor anything exposing knees). The cathedral experience is summed up in its exterior and interior, which provide a stark contrast to each other. The exterior is certainly more magnificent with the walls made of tricolor marble (white Carrara, green Prato and red Siena), the neo-Gothic facade made several hundred years after construction of the rest of the cathedral and Brunelleschi's dome - a landmark achievement in its design and construction at the time and the biggest brick dome in the world. The interior is considered to be much more plain, due to the Franciscan tradition observed by Florentines during the Middle Ages/early Renaissance and the preservation of many artifacts, which are currently held in the museum. The only notable items intact are Vasari's Last Judgement (a painting within the dome), a 24-hour "liturgical clock" that still works and 44 stained glass windows that depict Old and New Testament saints. To augment my visit I took a guided tour sanctioned by the official Opera del Duomo (works commission), "A Glimpse of Florence" (€30). I got it because of its perks - skip-the-line for the cathedral, access to the northern terrace exclusively for ticket-holders and an opportunity to climb the dome without having to reserve your time. This was certainly worth the price AND I learned quite a bit about the cathedral (which was supplemented by a visit to the Duomo Museum). This is in addition to the perks that come with the standard ticket. This service is offered Monday-Saturday during peak season at 10:30 and your ticket can be picked up at the main office after purchase. On a multi-day Florence itinerary I would take advantage of that 72-hour period and pepper in your Duomo complex sightseeing with other Florence must-sees such as the Uffizi, Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio and Pitti Palace/Boboli Gardens. If you vary your sightseeing it lessens the likelihood of simply being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of beautiful art and history concentrated into a city's historical center (aka Stendhal Syndrome).

This cathedral is right at the center of historical florence. You can walk right into the main cathedral, no tickets needed. Just remember there is a dress code (no exposed shoulder and shorts below the knee). The church is very impressive inside, with lots of different artwork to see. The dome itself is 463 steps, no elevator. The line can get quite long and tickets sell out. I recommend you buy the tickets online ahead of time.

LOVE this place as much as I LOVE Florence!!! With the architect Brunelleschi entombed in a crypt close to the entrance, you can really get a feel for the importance of this UNESCO world heritage site in a historic part of Tuscany. The exterior is really quite beautiful. If you climb the bell tower, you'll get an awesome view of the dome. There's usually a long line to climb to the top of the cupola in the dome, so the only way to save yourself from a headache is to get the Firenzecard, which gives you priority museum access (I know it's not a museum per sé, but it's worth getting--trust me!) with no need to make reservations for 72 hours starting from your first entrance. Just go to the ticket office near the piazza, show your card, and they'll give you tickets to walk straight in. The stairs are not for the claustrophobic at heart, but the view above is totally worth it!

10/29/2013 This is the Duomo in Florence, and it was FREE for us when we went on 10/29/2013. I suspect it was free because that week happened to be the same week as All Saints Day and we heard that most of the churches were open to the public at no cost. Woohoo, score! There is a free Rick Steve's audio tour available, which we listened to as we explored the inside of the Duomo. Herds of visitors were walking through it and viewing the intricate details of this place. Very nice.

The Florence Cathedral or Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower is one of the most amazing churches I have seen. Located in the Piazza del Duomo. I love the white marble with the greenish details. Just stunning architecture. I just stood there and stared for a few minutes because you just get lost looking at it. I did not go in because the queue was just crazy. This was one of my highlights in Europe and Italy.

Take a deep breath... I think anyone who first saw the famous Duomo can sometimes forget to breathe for a bit. Certainly I did! Even after looking at the photos since I played Assassin's Creed 2 many years ago and prepared myself for this trip months before, I still could not believe my eyes when the Duomo appeared in front of me. The tall yet extremely detailed Gothic facade, the extraordinarily large scale of the building, the majestic awe-inspiring dome...Perhaps no word or picture can truly describe the beauty of this church! If you want to enter the church - which you should! - it's free! While the line can be long before lunch, the wait is significantly less in the afternoon. Surprisingly, the interior is bare compared to the austere exterior yet it remains majestic thanks to its sheer scale. Walk around and admire the few artworks within, including the famous painting of Dante introducing "Purgatory" and also the geometric flooring beneath your feet! You can also explore more of the Duomo with a €15 combined admission: 1) Crypt: Inside the Duomo, see the underground crypt that is the remnant of the medieval church before the construction of the current, much larger complex. 2) Battistero di San Giovanni (http://www.yelp.com/biz/battistero-di-san-giovanni-firenze?hrid=Mt4SvrSItecCyn_6YBrTYw): The octagonal baptistery is actually much older than the Duomo itself and is the site where all Florentine greats like the Medici were baptized 3) Cupola del Brunelleschi (http://www.yelp.com/biz/cupola-del-brunelleschi-firenze?hrid=ndtLWF1iDBUTsEXyJvzZ7w): Challenge yourself through an arduous climb on top of the famous brick dome for an unique view of Florence as the reward 4) Campanile di Giotto: A less challenging climb than the Dome, the bell tower offers the closest view of the Dome accompanied by the beautiful Florentine skyline 5) Museo dell'Opera (http://www.yelp.com/biz/museo-dellopera-del-duomo-firenze-2?hrid=aTCwz80ByASPbjDGkCbPwQ): Truly a "hidden" treasure, this newly renovated museum gives the best backstory to one of the world's most impressive churches --- It's a given that you must visit the Duomo if you are visiting Florence, but if your time in the city is limited, I highly recommend entering the Baptistery and the Campanile (Much less wait and easier climb than the dome). No matter what you choose to do though, take your time...Admire the beauty of the same cathedral exterior that has wowed many generations! I don't think there are many churches in this world that can come close to compare with the Florence Duomo's beauty. --- TIPS OF VISITING THE DUOMO: 1) Ticket office is on the northwestern corner of the Duomo. Even Firenze Card holders must go there to obtain tickets 2) Opening hours vary even among different parts of the Duomo everyday. Check the official website or the tourist info points 3) Take the dress code seriously! The staff will stop you from entering if your shorts are too short or your clothing is deemed too revealing.

Amazing church, don't miss the attached museums and art..... The climb to the top is a workout with narrow catwalks with views to the chapel below (not recommended for those with a fear of heights) great views though of Florence from a bit above. The churches main museum is across the street in the workshop they used when building the cathedral. Now it houses an exhibit on construction, models of the building, an exhibit about the original facade and statues that lost there home when renovations and styles changes. At the top is an outside tech with great views of the cathedral from an elevation​. I'm hard-pressed to decide which I liked better, inside the cathedral or its museum.

I couldn't wait until the weekend to see this gorgeous Cathedral so I paid for a ticket my first day here. Everything I thought it would be. The whole area is massive. Went to the crypt to see the mosaic roman floor. Walk up onto the dome and want an exercise that was. Beautiful vantage point to see Florence from above. The bell tower is also a climb but worth it in everyway .

Do yourself a favor and don't go in. The outside is the amazing part of this gem, and worth the dozens of pictures you'll want to take from every angle. It is gorgeous. We waited in line for two hours to get in and, frankly, it was beyond a let down. Not worth the time. If there is no wait, or you're short line, definitely go in. However, if the line is very long, don't bother. The church is simple inside, and everything is cordoned off so you can only walk in a small square. I took no pictures inside. My husband climbed the dome and said THAT was worth it.

Santa Maria del Fiore, Saint Mary of the Flower, located in the piazza of Santa Maria del Fiore is a magnificent masterpiece of Gothic Renaissance architecture. Brunelleschi's (1436)octagonal dome is one of the highlights. The pink, white and green marble exterior being another. Giotto's campanile (1334) is adjacent with it's 414 challenging steps to the top. It is about 6 Euros for the climb. The outstanding views of Florence will await you.The Saint John's Baptistery with it's "Gates of Paradise" bronze doors by Ghiberti is opposite the church and a highlight to any visit. There is a 5 Euro admission charge and visiting hours are brief. The interior of the church is rather stark by comparison to the exterior. It does have an interesting crypt which holds the remains of many Bishops and the Master architect Brunelleschi. The cost is about 3 Euros. Often referred to as the Duomo, the Church of Florence is still an active church and masses are held in traditional Catholic style with tours available from 10:30-12 and 3-4:30. Hours may vary according by the season. A visit to the Cathedral is free but of course a guided tour is not. Part of a pedestrian walkway, it is within a few walking minutes from the Church of the Holy Cross and many other sites in the historic area of Florence. Don't try to take a car to the area. There is no parking, the streets are narrow and road signs will having you traveling in circles endlessly. There is ample cheap public transportation in the form of buses and trains. Bring some Euros and pay with a major credit card for large items. There are a lot of nice little things you might want to purchase including "Great Gelato".

Wow, just as impressive as I remembered except this time I made the wise choice in purchasing prepaid tickets to climb the Duomo which I did not do last time. Even with tickets the line is very long; at 9:00AM it was already close to two hours to get in but once you do the wait is well worth it. After the climb, which if you are not in reasonable shape is going to leave you winded, you emerge onto a impressive and unmatched view of Florence and the surrounding countryside as the Duomo is the largest building for miles. You can spend as much time as you like on the cupola and no one rushes you out. We were up there for half an hour taking photos and enjoying the refreshing breeze on a hot Tuscan day. A must stop while you are in Florence.

Admittedly, I knew very little about Florence, Italy before our trip. So when our cruise offered a tour that included a 1/2 day in Florence, we signed up and didn't know what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised to find Florence such a busy, bustling city with wonderful architecture and art. This cathedral was one of the main destinations of our tour. Unfortunately, the tours are fast paced and you kind of have to make a choice to take pics and miss out on the verbal explanations or listen to the story and miss out on pics. We decided to get pics and look around on our own while the tour guide spoke....so I don't have much of a story here. However, the architecture and details within this building are amazing. Just like everything else we've seen in Italy, it was awesome and inspiring. I couldn't help but wonder what it was like to live here during those times....when we broke away from the tour group and found a quiet place in the cathedral to look around and let it all sink in, you could almost imagine yourself being here during the time it was created....very cool. Overall, it was a fascinating experience and I'd like to come back and get more of the story. Return Factor - 100%

My wife and I are fortunate to have been able to travel to some amazing destinations around the world. When planning our trip to Italy, we knew we wanted to visit Firenze (Florence) because of the many historic, cultural, artistic and architectural marvels in the city. One of these is the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore or Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower or Duomo di Firenze or il Duomo - yes, it's a bit confusing). This massive, gothic cathedral is easy to spot because of its multicolored marble exterior. Don't miss the opportunity to climb to the top of the dome for an up close view of the interior frescos and magnificent views of the city. It's 463 steps to the top (sorry, there's no elevator). For those who want an extra challenge, you can also climb to the top of the adjacent Campanile di Giotto (Giotto's Bell Tower) - another 414 steps. Quick tip when traveling to Firenze/Florence: do NOT go by car!!! The streets are small, serpentine and practically impossible to navigate unless you are familiar with driving there. When we drove, we managed to get lost almost immediately to the point of getting my wife to hire a cab to go to the hotel, then I followed..... I KNOW, GENIUS RIGHT ?!?!?!!!!! On top of that, parking is non-exsistant. Many of the attractions are within walking distance and only accessible via pedestrian-only streets anyway.

Definitely book tour tickets beforehand and get a time slot. Otherwise the wait is upwords of a few hours. The website is a bit hard to navigate, but you buy a combo ticket for the Duomo, cathedral, crypt, bell tower, museum, and baptistry, and then you have the (entirely free) option of getting a reserved time slot for the Duomo climb. Do this and make sure you make your time and you will save yourself many hours of waiting in line!! Also make sure you get into the (short) line for reserved time slots, not into the huge general line. The climb itself wasn't that bad; we were winded but not dying. The view from the top is incredible, and the art is even more so! We missed the crypt by accidentally exiting after the climb (it's somewhere inside the cathedral).

The "Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore" . . . also known as the "Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore" . . . or as the "Florence Cathedral" . . . or simply as "la Duomo" (the Dome) . . . is the single most popular destination and a Must-See when visiting Firenze, Toscana (Florence, Tuscany). Construction of The Duomo commenced in 1296 and was completed in 1436. In other words, it's Freakin' Old !!! The Cathedral is gothic in style, and it features a dome that was to become the model and standard for domes which were built in many other major European cities over the next several centuries. In this era, the dome was a feat of architectural genius by its designer and engineer, Filippo Brunelleschi. The exterior is covered with marble panels, which are in shades of green, pink, and white . . . very appropriate for "Santa Maria del Fiore" . . . Saint Mary of the Flower. It is possible to climb to the top of the dome, but this is not for the faint of heart as it requires a reasonable degree of fitness to manage the spiral staircases, the ladders, and the countless number of steps to reach the top. Also, I wouldn't recommend this if you suffer from claustrophobia . . . it involves pretty tight quarters. The interior of the Cathedral is also gothic in style. The sheer size of the interior is huge, and gives you an impression of emptiness. The vast emptiness of the church certainly reinforces its preachings on the austerity of religious life. The Duomo is one very impressive and ancient destination . . . not to be missed when visiting Florence.