Opera del Duomo Museum

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is where Florence puts the Duomo complex back into human scale. Founded in 1891 and rebuilt for a major reopening in 2015, it gathers originals that once lived outside on the cathedral, campanile, and baptistery - works now too fragile for weather and crowds. The headline room is the Sala del Paradiso, which stages a full-scale reconstruction of the Duomo’s earlier façade as a display framework, so figures that once sat high above the piazza can be read at eye level. Nearby, Ghiberti’s Porta del Paradiso (1425-1452) stops being a famous name and becomes a set of panels you can actually study. It is less “extra museum” than the key to what you just saw outdoors.

This is the quiet heart behind Florence’s most famous monuments. The museum gathers centuries of work from the cathedral complex; original sculptures, tools, reliquaries, and architectural elements, presented in a way that explains how the Duomo, Baptistery, and bell tower were actually built. The standout space is the great hall, where a full reconstruction of the cathedral’s original medieval façade faces a lineup of monumental sculptures. Seeing these pieces at ground level, rather than high on the exterior where they once stood, gives a rare sense of their scale and detail. Donatello’s Penitent Magdalene is another highlight, raw and expressive in a way that contrasts sharply with the grand marble around it. Smaller rooms add depth: the preserved machinery used for raising stones, the glittering reliquaries, and the treasury pieces that once defined the cathedral’s ceremonial life. The museum also protects masterpieces displaced by the 1966 flood, including Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, which can finally be studied without weathered grime obscuring the scenes. A calm, well-organized place that ties the whole Duomo complex together, offering context that the monuments outside can’t provide on their own.

I bought a combined ticket for the cathedral, terraces and the museum. In the end, my visit at the museum was the most impressive and enjoyable of all. The cathedral and terraces are over rated . The museum is small and intimate, yet has some very interesting art treasures. The display is beautiful, you can pay for an audio guide. A hidden gem that is well worth a visit.

Very cool experience. Lots of early work that has taken off the cathedral. Once we got in we realized that we wanted to take more time and we’re going to exit and come back later, but we asked and they said we can’t do that. Glad we asked!

Beautifully laid out museum, a joy for the senses. Seeing the gold doors was a treat and obvious pride and care went into the entire place. The view from the roof was a surprise as it is so near to the dome. Seeing the unfinished pieta made it worth the price on its own. A must for every visitor to Florence

Don't skip this gem of a museum, small, intimate but full of the loveliest pieces you will find this side of the Rubicon. Giotto, Michelangelo, Donatello, Ghiberti - his doors alone are worth the visit, the most beautiful bronze work I have ever witnessed. My only regret? That an elevated platform to see the highest bronze works on the doors was available, just magnificent. This place is not to be missed.

If you're in the area and had the tickets for Brunelleschi dome booked, it's a no breather that you'll probably want to add this onto the tickets package. The museum is so well arranged and offered so much in terms of history and culture. To be honest, I'm not sure much a big fan of museum but this one really opened my eyes given how well the artifacts are presented.

It holds so much! Go in if anything to get a break from the heat while enjoying all the history and art. It holds michaelanglo, Donatello Mary magdalen and so on! The various art pieces are from the Duomo and the baptistry and so on. If you like history or art is worth the stop. Staff are kind and friendly. They will assist with various history questions or directions. Buy your ticket at the tourism info center for a multi pass ticket to see the museum with the church and etc.

We were on a Tauck tour of Florence and got a private tour of this Museum last night. It was fabulous. Very modern facility, bright and airy with beautiful sculptures and exhibits.

I visited Il Museo dell'Opera del Duomo as part of a guided tour of the piazza and eventual climb of the dome itself. Our first stop of the tour was here, and we spent a good amount of time going through the exhibits and learning about their history. It's best to think of the museum as an extension of the Cathedral itself, partly because there are several exhibits related to its infrastructure - and more importantly because the museum contains many of the original sculptures that adorned the exterior of the building. They have since been moved here for preservation purposes, and have been replaced by replicas on the Cathedral itself. Another standout exhibit is a life-size replica of the first three stories of the cathedral, with all the sculptures in their original placements. We spent a good amount of time discussing the original doors to the Baptistery designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti. These are massive and set in nitrogen tanks in order to present tarnishing - we were given a lot of insight into them, but even if you're not part of a tour you can really just stare at them for a good while and take in all that they are displaying. We ended our time at the museum on the rooftop terrace which provided great views of the dome. Overall, this was a fine museum; to be honest there isn't *too* much to see and I would think of it more as an extension of the Cathedral and Baptistery, but regardless there's some really good stuff here and it's perfect if you're looking to gain more insight into the Piazza del Duomo.

The museum itself isn't really that impressive, only if you'd like to learn a lot more about the history of the duomo. If you get time go to the top terrace, quiet and open view for the closest side of the dome. Other than that, I think you can skip this place if you're on a tight schedule.

My visit to the Duomo Museum was using the Ghiberti pass which provides entrance to this museum and The Baptistry on the day selected along with a timed entry to the church through a side door bypassing the long line outside for those waiting for the free entry. Go online to purchase well before your trip here to save a lot of time. After passing through security (because there is some expensive stuff in here) you pass through several rooms that include works by Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Donatello and Ghiberti among others. Included are the original bronze doors from The Baptistry called the Gates of Paradise, sculptures of Mary Magdalene and a Pieta, along with models used to build the dome over the Duomo which was an engineering marvel back then that was later used in building structures from St. Peter's Basilica to the US Capitol. They also have an outside terrace that gives you a close up view of the Duomo. There are also a couple of rooms devoted to early musical instruments like pianos and strings like violins and basses along with various other sculptures and paintings. This museums represents one of the best examples of depicting the art of The Renaissance period. I would budget about 90 minutes to visit depending on your tastes.

I will be honest. We only visited Museo del Opera because we passed by it and it was included in the Giotto Pass that we had already paid for. We stopped in at 10:30, and it wasn't that crowded. I have a feeling this is not as popular as other attractions at the Duomo, and plus you've also got the Galleria dell Accademia and Uffizi nearby. We did a loop around the first floor of the museum and stayed probably for 10 minutes. Maybe we would have stayed longer if we had nothing to do and weren't on a time crunch, but we had other places to be. I'll admit that I am not big on art/history so if you are, then you might enjoy this museum. Otherwise, it's skippable.

On all of our visits to Florence, I am not sure why we missed this museum. We were completely blown away by its beauty and attention to the presentation and detail to each and every article on display. The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo opened in 1891. It covers 64,500+ square feet into 28 rooms and divided over three floors. It features most of the original sculptures and objects of art created for the Cathedral, the Baptistery, and Giotto's Campanile. These were placed in the Cathedral Museum to conserve them, and the others were replaced by copies. It was wonderful to see the original Ghiberti's Baptistry doors up close. It houses original masterpieces from renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Ghiberti, and Donatello, making it a treasure trove of art and history. We were thrilled to see Michelangelo's' Pieta as well as Donatello's Penitent Magdalene. Both were incredibly beautiful and striking. The museum has the largest collection of Florentine monument sculptures in the world: medieval and of the Renaissance statues and reliefs in marble, bronze, and silver of the Middle Age and of the Renaissance by the greatest artists of all ages. The museum also contains some of the original construction tools and various mockups of the Cathedral's façade and the dome. It also has a worthwhile collection of paintings and sculptures, including such notable works as Michelangelo's Pieta and Donatello's La Maddalena (circa 1455), plus so many more. This is a museum not to be missed.

Museum with various exhibits about the Basilica that can be visited via the Bruneschellini Pass. It's conveniently across the Basilica and there were quite a few field trips and tour groups present. There's multiple levels and we went from bottom to top. Restrooms are available as well as a water fountain. You go through a security check first and then will scan your ticket. You can purchase the Brunnelschini Pass and then use that to enter the museum at any time. Elevators and stairs are available. There are also a couple of benches at the top level to sit if you need a break. We spent about an hour and a half to two hours here.

A stunning museum. 4 floors of perfectly displayed artifacts. Excellent signage and lighting. Interactive items throughout. Short films, touchable art, human elements all around. Staff is friendly and eager to share knowledge. Purchase the ticket at the ticket office on the piazza. It the big pass for 20€ and gain access to everything on the piazza. It's a real deal!

We took the steps underneath the Doumo where they are excavating and have unearthed a tremendous amount of tiles, frescoes, tombs, Religious artifacts... The archaeological site is very impressive and vast. There were some seats, lighting wasn't the best so reading info was difficult. Inside the museum at the Doumo is an incredible collection of medieval and Florentine Renaissance sculptures and countless unique masterpieces of art by Florence's greatest renaissance artists.

We ate breakfast at the cafe attached to the museum and sat outside in the shadow of the Duomo. For 10 Euro the Sweet Breakfast included a dish of yogurt with fruit and granola, a pastry, and a cappuccino. After breakfast, we went inside the museum. This is a great museum that is mostly empty. The original Baptistery doors are here and they are so much prettier than the copies outside because they are kept at a perfect temperature and humidity. There are also displays with the losing designs for the Duomo facade, a model of the Duomo's dome, information on the construction of the dome, Michelangelo's last pietà, and Donatello's Mary Magdalene. Definitely an underrated museum that many people would enjoy more than the Uffizi.

Worth it for the wooden Mary Magdalene by Donatello. Practically oozing with poignancy.

What a wonderful museum. Found in a Rick Steves guide. A full size replica of the original cathedral. Just can't beat that! Breathtaking original Baptistery doors. Lots of hidden gems in hallways you can miss. I highly recommend and don't forget the student discount!

25 rooms, three floors, and nearly 65,000 square feet, the massive Museo dell' Opera del Duomo houses more than 750 works of art covering nearly 700+ years of history. it serves to preserve the artistic masterpieces that were once on display in the Duomo. Highlights from the collection include Ghiberti's original Gates of Paradise from the Baptistery and Michelangelo's Pietà, which many believe he created to adorn his tomb. the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, as it is known today, is still actively engaged in preserving and enhancing the monuments comprising the Great Museum of the Duomo: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi's Dome and the crypt of Santa Reparata, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto's bell tower and the Historical Museum. Hall of Paradise, Pietà by Michelangelo, Penitent Magdalene by Donatello- are some masterpieces kept here. Entrance to the museum is covered by the combo ticket you're required to buy if you want to climb the steps of the Duomo or visit any of the other sites within the square. Just keep plenty of time to admire all of the works housed here. also, this museum is not as crowded as the Uffizi.

If the Duomo is the heart of Florence, and many find worthy of hours-long waits, it is surprising the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo - a true accompaniement to the Duomo - is relatively uncrowded. With many of the original Duomo artifacts and a recreation of its past, Duomo fans should not miss it. Located in the same square as the Duomo it's understated three-story yellow façade is easy to overlook given it's more dramatic-appearing neighbors. The Duomo combo ticket will gain admission, as well as the Firenze Card. Don't miss Room 6, the Hall of Paradise (Sala del Paradiso). It is like going back into time and seeing what the Baptistery and Duomo façades were like in 1500. On one side are the original "Gates of Paradise" of the Baptistery, created by Lorenzo Ghiberti, with sparkling gold covering their bronze interior. On the opposite wall from the Baptistery doors is a full-scale, floor-to-ceiling recreation of the Duomo's façade. Pictures don't do it justice. The room invites a slow appreciation, and benches allow even those of tired feet to linger. Other key things to see: Donatello's Mary Magdalene, Michelangelo's Pieta, and Brunelleschi's model of the Duomo dome.

Nice little museum which serves as a kind of annex for the Duomo and Baptistry. Our entry for the dome also got us entry here and it was certainly a worthwhile visit. They have the original Baptistry doors on display which are mammoth and very ornate. There is a excellent breakdown and presentation on how the entire complex was constructed which you shouldn't miss. The highlight however is Michelangelo's Piatas which is a latter version with the artist represented as Nicodamus. Well worth the visit for the outstanding historical artifacts and education provided.

This is a small museum located right by the Duomo. It's about three floors, and all the art has a religious theme. I'm really into art, so I was very impressed by many of the pieces that were on exhibition. I got an all exclusive pass, but still wasn't allowed into the actual Duomo, but luckily I was able to get into this spot. It's a bit of a mess getting tickets for this place and all in all, a lot of Italy is a bit strange, but this is a nice little place. It's not the biggest museum, but it does have a lot going for it.

Stunning Museum slash church smack DAB in the middle of florence. This is one of the few buildings that the exterior is even more beautiful than the interior. Still after walking in and taking in the soaring ceilings and impressive arches. Go to the front of the building there is an altar where there appears to be the area for a priest to do mass. Look up at the amazing fresco in the large Dome. Your neck will get tired before you look over each part of this painting. So lovely!

This museo is in my top attractions of the world. I must admit it took me by surprise as the outside is 'old' but once across the threshold a new area opens up. Very modern and extremely well laid out museum comes to light. Plenty of space to wander around without being jostled. Just take your time around the three floors and galleries. Don't miss those massive, original, doors to the Duomo. They are breathtaking. If you are in Florence then this is a must. ENJOY.

Great museum to learn more about the construction and history of Duomo. Museums such as these are much more enjoyable when you have some information to read along/listen to. I recommend Rick Steve's "Florence." You can appreciate art so much more with extra knowledge! You have to make a reservation for entering the museum. It is included in your 15 euro combo ticket. We chose the latest time 18:30. Well, it turns out that the museum closes at 19:00. There were other party's besides us looking around, and unfortunately we all got kicked out at 19:30. I wish they didn't have 18:30 as an option, as 30 minutes is not enough time to look around everything! We didn't even get a chance to look around the gift shop. I wish they could let us know when we were going to kicked out so we could have planned our time to look around everything. Doesn't change the fact that this is a great museum!

The Opera del Duomo (lit. "works commission") is a guild founded in 1296 by the Florentine Republic to oversee the construction of the cathedral and its bell tower. When the cathedral was finally consecrated in 1436 its primary focus switched to the conservation and embellishment of this complex of monuments. In 1777 the adjacent baptistery was included in its purview and in 1891 this museum was founded to house the works of art previously in the cathedral or baptistery but removed over the course of several hundred years. The museum is located what was once the the guild's headquarters and was also the same location that Michelangelo sculpted his famous "David". Ever since the museum's opening it has gradually expanded - nearly 6000 square meters of exhibition space spread over 3 floors and 25 rooms house over 750 works of art. A remodel in 2015 allowed some components of the museum - namely the original facade of the Duomo and Ghiberti's two famous doors on the opposite side to be showcased in situ. Admission to the museum is included in your €18 ticket, which also includes the other sites of the Duomo complex save the cathedral, which itself is free. Your ticket is valid for all sights within a 72-hour period, which can be spread out along with other Florentine sights (ie. Accademia, Uffizi). Allow for at least a good hour to get through the rooms quickly and at least double if you are an art, church or history aficionado as the museum tells the story of the Santa Maria del Fiore over the years in a way much better than the actual cathedral. For me not only did this visit allow me to begin to truly appreciate Florence's most significant site, the museum helped pass the time while it rained in the city. To help process the mountain of information presented in the museum if you're not already an aficionado use either a good guidebook or download the Museo Duomo app. The app has a "live mode" that tracks your progress via Bluetooth and diagrams the room and its artworks. I wish I had known about this during my visit. POINTS OF SIGNIFICANCE 1. Salone del Paradiso (room 6): Christians called the area between the baptistery and the church "paradise" as it evokes the joy of a newly-baptized person allowed to participate in the eucharist for the first time (because in ancient Christian tradition, non-baptized people were not allowed to enter churches). The main feature is a 1:1 reconstruction of the original facade of the cathedral to the east as it is depicted based on a 16th century drawing (the current facade is Neo-Gothic and dates in the 1800's) and the original doors that Lorenzo Ghiberti made for the baptistery to the west (the ones in the actual baptistery are copies). 2. Sala della Maddalena (room 8): Housing Donatello's Penitent Magdalene. Made from wood, it is known for being one of the most realistic depictions of Mary Magdalene as she repented for her sins for 30 years in the desert after following Jesus. It is realistic in that other depictions of Mary Magdalene have her depicted in perfect health despite her time in the desert. 3. Tribuna di Michelangelo (room 10): Housing Michelangelo's *other* famous pieta which was meant to adorn his tomb. The hooded figure of Nicodemus was meant to be a self-portrait. It was abandoned and mutilated by the sculptor upon finding defects in the marble. I prefer this to the one in St. Peter's Basilica. 4. Galleria del Campanile (room 14): This room shows sculptures and reliefs from the bell tower and displayed in its original order. 5. Galleria della Cupola (room 15): This room tells the story of the cathedral's famous dome and its architect Filippo Brunelleschi as told through models. A brief film helps summarize this story about how the dome was built despite nearly impossible odds due to the technology that was needed not having existed during its construction. 6. Sala delle Cantorie (room 23): This room contains two cantoria (choir lofts) that once stood in the Duomo sanctuary. One was made by Luca della Robbia (right) and the other was made by Donatello (left). The cantorias depict Psalm 150 but are depicted remarkably different from each other with della Robbia's being more whimsical while Donatello's more hedonistic. 7. Galleria dei modelli (room 17): This room contains the wooden models created as a proposal for a new Renaissance-style facade to replace the old medieval one demolished in 1587. 8. Belvedere della Cupola (room 18): An outdoor terrace that allows an excellent view of the dome. This would be the best view for people who have limited mobility (people unable to climb towers) or did not book a room that specifically advertises a dome view. I was lucky that my campanile climb and my hotel room offered much better views. Despite not being religious or a history buff this was my favorite museum in Florence. What I got out of my experience was a greater insight and appreciation for Florence's most significant attraction.

People are willing to line up to enter the Duomo and even climb the Dome, but very little people know that the true treasures lie near them. Here's a little secret: some of the stuff you see on the outside, including the Baptistery's bronze Door of Paradise, are replicas and the original are stored for better preservation in this often-ignored museum! If you want to see more about the Duomo and truly appreciate this architectural splendor even more, you cannot miss this museum. Newly renovated, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is indeed a world-class museum worthy of the Duomo that it exhibits. Here, you will find all the original statues of the facade, the Door of Paradise, and many things that are no longer in the Duomo such as the removed choir gallery! Better yet, you will also find precious relics such as St John the Baptist's jawbones and significant artworks like Michelangelo's "Florence Pieta" This museum is well-organized and modernized, and has many interesting and engaging explanations to give you a better understanding of the many aspects of the Duomo such as its history and its construction process. While the Duomo is already impressive at first sight even without knowing a thing about it, I guarantee that you will love the Duomo more after learning about why you should be even more impressed with this symbol of Italian Renaissance. Besides, you already paid a €15 combined admission for the Duomo complex, so if you are already visiting the Duomo, you cannot miss this museum! --- tl;dr version: 1) Often-ignored museum that is the true treasure of the Duomo complex 2) Houses many originals like the Baptistery's Door of Paradise and other artworks 3) Well-organized, modernized museum that aims to engage and should not be missed!

We had the hardest time trying to find where the heck you get a ticket for this place. We went to the location of the museum and they wouldn't issue us a ticket. Told us to go back to a ticket counter and get one. But no one knew where to get one. So we didn't even get to do this. It was just a mess. So hope you have better luck. We just did other things. DUOMO IS FREE. as in the church. So you don't need a ticket for that. Only to climb the tower. But if you have the tower ticket then you get to do this museum as part of that.

This place was amazing! One ticker gives you access to the Duomo itself, the baptismal, the museum and a VIP guided tour to the top of the dome! Don't miss out and wait in line all day. Book your ticket in advance or online because it will sell out. The views from the top are amazing!

Very nice, air conditioned treasure behind the dome in the yellow building. After using the bag lockers (free and mandatory), we went inside. I had just had a pretty miserable experience at the duomo itself, but this made me feel better. As soon as I walked in, I saw a bathroom and it was free! I did a little giddy dance with a minor squeal, got laughed at by the hubs, and went in. Toilet seats!!! Clean!!! Soap, paper towels, cold water!!! Hallelujah!!! Oh yeah, and the art was pretty awesome, too. The original bronze doors from the baptistery are the main attraction, but even our quick run through the rest of the museum was nice. If you buy the ticket for the duomo, remember that it includes all the sites whether you visit them or not. This is included. I recommend this over the dome any day!

Do not bring your valuables here. They make you check in your bag. One person insisted on keeping her passport. The guard said "NO". I stayed behind and held on to my party's passports/wallets and other valuables while they went in. The guards are a little short with people. Maybe it's the culture. Maybe they are tired of turning people away.