CATHEDRAL OF SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the main church of Florence, Italy. The construction of the Duomo, as it is ordinarily called, began in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The cathedral complex, located in Piazza del Duomo, includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile.

These three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic centre of Florence and are a major attraction to tourists visiting Tuscany. The basilica is one of Italy's largest churches and remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.

An architectural masterpiece and the pride of the Florentine skyline, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is situated in Florence in Italy. It literally translates to “Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower” in English. But it is popularly known as The Duomo by the locals. The Cathedral is known for its rich history and architectural marvels. Built in over 150 years, between 1296 and 1436, the building is a blend of different architectural styles that were prevalent in the different eras making it more intriguing than ever. Such a changing face of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is evidence of how the architectural taste of people changed with time. Also, the Duomo is more than 152 meters long and 90 meters wide, making it the third-largest cathedral in the world.

The Cathedral is one of the most magnificent works of art and is the most famous tourist attraction in Florence. It holds utmost importance when it comes to witnessing intricate artistry. It is an experience that any visitor wouldn’t want to miss. The cathedral’s exterior is made with a mix of pink and green marble and is bordered by marble which is a delightful sight to stop and look at.

The cathedral complex, in the main square of Florence, Piazza del Duomo, includes Giotto’s Campanile and the Baptistery and all these three buildings have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are a treasure trove of history, faith and art. 

Highlights

• Admire the exterior of the basilica which is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white.
• Make sure to visit the Duomo Museum as it offers a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of the cathedral, as well as its art and history.
• From the stunning mosaics on the exterior to the beautiful frescoes inside, there's plenty to admire.
• From the terrace of the basilica, take in the 360-degree views of Florence. The view takes in all the major landmarks of Florence including Palazzo Vecchio, Giotto’s bell tower, Ponte Vecchio, and the Baptistery.

How To Reach

The closest airport to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the Florence International Airport, Peretola. It is about 13 kms away from Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and there are different alternatives to reach the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

By Taxi: Hailing a taxi is illegal in Florence so make sure you stand in queue at the designated airport taxi stands. You can also order taxis by phone on the dedicated numbers. Downloading the It Taxi App is also a good option to reach the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore as it allows you to order a taxi and pay via phone.

By Bus: Volainbus operates shuttle service from the airport to the city centre. The bus leaves every half hour starting from 5:30 am till 8:30 pm and then on an hourly basis until 12:30 am. The bus drops you off at Via Santa Caterina da Siena, 17 from where you can take a taxi to the Cathedral or, if you’ve packed light, you can walk up to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Rental Car: You can pick an airport rental car from Palagio degli Spini and drive to the Cathedral. But renting a car in Florence is not advisable as the streets are very narrow with a lot of traffic instructions which might be hard to follow for the first time. Also, the city is small enough for you to cover on foot!

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Best Time To Visit

As far as visiting Florence is concerned, the best months are April, May and September. The weather is warm but not too hot for you to enjoy open-air dining and soak in the marvels of the city, on foot, without breaking a sweat. Known to be the most popular attraction in Florence, the plaza around Duomo can have up to 3-hour-long queues by mid-day. So, you have to choose your timing wisely.

If you have plans of spending the whole day touring the complex then it is best to visit as soon as the Duomo opens in the morning. But if you have plans of visiting only the highlights (the Dome, the Baptistry and the Campanile) then it is advised to visit in the late afternoon because the sun is on the west, giving the best lighting on the dome.

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Other Essential Information

Location: Main square of Florence, Piazza del Duomo.

Entry Fees: There is no entrance fee.

Timings: It is generally open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm but in order to attend the mass, it is important for the visitors to know the prayer timings.

Holiday Hours – 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm

Weekday Hours – 7:30 am, 8:30 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am and 6:00 pm

As it is a place of worship, visitors should make sure that they are appropriately dressed.

Distance from the closest airport: The Florence International Airport, Peretola is the closest airport if you want to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is 13 kms from the Cathedral and is about a half an hour drive away.

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History And Architecture of Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore

Built on the site of Florence’s second cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was built when the structure was unable to serve the growing population of the city. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is located in the heart of the city, Piazza del Duomo. It is an architectural marvel whose construction started in 1296 in Gothic style, which was prominent in that era, following the design of Arnolfo di Cambio.

The construction of the Cathedral spanned over two centuries and was structurally completed by 1436 by Filippo Brunelleschi who designed the dome. The dome, till date, is known to be an architectural marvel and was the last to be constructed by Brunelleschi. To make the dome strong enough Brunelleschi, came up with the idea of building two domes. 

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Facts About The Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore

Behind the building of this architectural marvel, there are some very interesting facts.

1. The construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore took over 140 years to complete. The construction began in 1296 and was structurally completed by 1436.

2. The Dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the largest brick dome to be constructed to date.

3. The dome in the cathedral is not one but two domes.

4. The façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was originally designed according to the architecture of that era but with time the architecture style changed, and what we see today is not the original design.

5. Brunelleschi, the mastermind behind the magnificent dome, left no documents behind for others to learn from them.

6. Brunelleschi, himself, invented the technology that he used to construct the dome.

7. Brunelleschi had no formal experience in the field of architecture and yet he won the contest for designing and building the dome.

8. The dome itself took 16 years to be constructed.

9. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the third largest cathedral in the world, after the St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

10. The Santa Maria del Fiore is built on the ground of a previous small church called Santa Reparata.

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Tips For Visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore

1. The best time to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is either in the morning when the Cathedral opens or in the late afternoon. This is because it is a famous tourist attraction and visitors flock to visit the Cathedral from noon leading to long queues.

2. Being a place of worship, it is important for all the visitors to dress decently. Visitors should make sure that they do not enter with exposed shoulders and legs. Sandals, hats and sunglasses are also forbidden in the Cathedral.

3. If you are interested in climbing the dome, make sure you wear a comfortable pair of shoes and carry your water bottle.

4. The entrance to the Cathedral is free but to visit the other monuments make sure you buy the pass.

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Attractions Near Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore

1. Piazzale Michelangelo - Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo. You can catch the beautiful sunset and soak in the beauty of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo. This viewpoint is situated to the south of the center.

2. Ponte Vecchio - The Ponte Vecchio or the Old Bridge is a symbol of Florence. It shows the endurance of the city over natural as well as man-made disasters. It connects Uffizi to Palazzo Pitti and is a perfect spot to capture the marvels of Florence.

3. Medici Villa - The Medici Villa at Castello has a splendid Italian garden with many statues and fountains. This garden is a delight for all with the Cave of Animals and the secret gardens. If you want to spend a quiet day then this is the place to be.

4. Palazzo Vecchio - Palazzo Vecchio or the Old Palace is the town hall of Florence. It stands to overlook the Piazza della Signoria which is home to Michelangelo’s David statue.

5. Palazzo Pitti - The Palazzo Pitti is a palace in Florence that is situated on the south of the Arno river, a short distance from the Old Bridge or Ponte Vecchio. The building was commissioned by a Florentine banker, Luca Pitti in 1458. It is now divided into various art galleries and museums.

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