Why the
Piazza del Duomo
in Florence is special

This building complex in a large piazza is in the heart of old Florence. It comprises a superb collection of architectural treasures dating back to the 13th century.

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Piazza del Duomo
tips & insights

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Its three grand
components

Baptistry
Battistero in Italian.
See photo's foreground.

Cathedral
Duomo in Italian.
See church facade and
dome behind baptistry.

Belltower
Campanile in Italian.
See tower rising behind
the baptistry

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Baptistry

It is best known for Ghiberti's two gilded bronze doors. Both are sculptural masterpieces. However, the ones on the door are replicas. The originals (like some artworks from the cathedral) were moved to the nearby Museum Opera del Duomo for conservation's sake. It's open to the public.

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Cathedral

The Duomo is one of the world's largest cathedrals and was begun in 1296. Today, it (and particularly its dome) is the heartfelt symbol of Florence.

Brunelleschi's magnificent dome is nearly 600 years old and is almost as high as a modern 30-story building. It's open to the public. Both the climb (464 steep steps) and view (of the Piazza and Florence) are breathtaking.

The Duomo is relatively plain inside, strikingly ornate outside. I relish most the exterior design, but consider the front facade (which wasn't finished until the 19th century) to be overwrought and not in keeping with the artistic merits of the other Piazza del Duomo elements.

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Belltower

Giotto's stand-alone Campanile dates back to the 1300s and soars 85 meters (280 feet). You can climb its 414 steps to reach the top, which affords a dramatic eye-level view of the nearby Duomo's dome.

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More Italy topics

Wonders of Italy - Home page

Italy wonder map

Basic Italian phrases

Italian cuisine

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Enit - Tourist Board

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