Il Duomo, Florence
Italy
Click top or bottom images to see Duomo Baptistry pictures
or Ponte Vecchio, Baptistry, Santa Croce
Florence's magnificent and multicoloured cathedral, the Duomo, more properly known as the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. The three front doors are bronze and display the life of the Madonna. The free tourist entry point is through a side door.
The Duomo area is a World Heritage Site, including Giotto's Campanile [bell tower] and the neighbouring Baptistry. Pictured is one of many spectacular little details of the Duomo's facade. Another favourite of ours is the drunken tosspot...
The Duomo's interior with prayer candles in foreground and the amazing, dramatic dome in backround.
Tourists in sleeveless shirts or very short shorts are lent a lightweight turquoise poncho on entry. At the opposite end of the basilica is a massive, working, one-handed clock showing 24 hours of Italian time, which ends at sunset.
The dome of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the largest brick dome ever built at 45m wide.
Cosima I de Medici commissioned the massive fresco of the Last Judgement on the dome in 1568; it was painted by Giorgio Vasari but finished by Federico Zuccar. Tourists can ascend to the dome's narrow gallery for a small fee and a large attack of high anxiety.
'Dante declaiming the Divine Comedy' by Domenico di Michelino in 1465, including scenes of Florence. Many other celebrated pictures adorn the Duomo's walls, such as a trompe l'oeil of Talentino by Andrea del Castagno. Click for Baptistry photos.
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