Are you going to visit Italy and its beautiful city of Florence? Here’s all you need to know to visit the Dôme de Florence!
Welcome to Florence, a true city-museum, the capital of Tuscany, probably one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. We can say it is the paradise of art lovers and history! Penetrate in its streets and let yourself be carried by an atmosphere where dolce vita and Renaissance treasures blend perfectly. And among its most beautiful jewels, and certainly the most famous, come to visit the Dôme de Florence, more commonly called the Duomo.
You can't go to the capital of Tuscany without visiting the duomo! Discover here all the practical information to visit the Dôme de Florence.
Le Duomo, ID card
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore ("Saint Marie de la Fleur") is in fact more known as Duomo (Dôme) by its huge dome, the largest in masonate apparatus ever built in the world, which made its reputation. Located in Piazza del Duomo in the historic centre of Florence, it has often been seen as the work that marks the beginning of the Italian Renaissance (i.e., architectural) in 1420. His architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, is considered to be the inventor of the perspective and the engineering profession. We are still wondering today about how he was able to achieve this structure of several tons at the time without it falling apart...
This masterpiece capable of resisting lightning, earthquakes and the passage of time, continues to enchant all those who observe it from afar or the visit!
The duomo in a few numbers is:
- 14 years of construction
- 114 metres high and 45 metres in diameter
- 4 million bricks and 37,000 tons
- 463 steps to go up
How to visit the Duomo?
After visiting the Dôme de Florence from all sides and seeing the inside of the cathedral, you only have to climb to the top of the dome!
There is only one way to see the inside of it and to enjoy the spectacular view of Florence from the top: climb the 463 steps, because there is no elevator. The entrance is made by the Almond Gate of the Cathedral. The climb and the descent are made by narrow corridors, the steps can be steep and the entire climb is quite long. When you reach the base of the dome, you will find a bridge allowing you to observe the impressive frescoes of Vasari.From there, continue up and go out to admire the impressive view of the city.
It’s obviously possible to book a guided tour, and if you’re really fairy of history, we recommend it. The comments and anecdotes cited by passionate guides will only beautify your visit.
Visit times of the Dôme de Florence
You can visit the Duomo of Florence all year round, except religious holidays.
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 13:00 to 16:00
The reservation of the tour of the dome is mandatory and can be made at the time of purchase of the ticket.
The Dôme de Florence: rates
The Cathedral
The entrance to the cathedral is free . However, there are private guided tours. Prices are around 20€.
The Museum
- Adults: 10€,
- Youth (7-14 years): 5€,
- Children from 0 to 6 years old: free.
The Baptistery
- Adults: 5€,
- Youth (7-14 years): 3€,
- Children from 0 to 6 years old: free.
The Campanile
- Adults: 15€,
- Youth (7-14 years): 7€,
- Children from 0 to 6 years old: free.
The dome of Brunelleschi
- Adults: 15€,
- Youth (7-14 years): 7€,
- Children from 0 to 6 years old: free.
Some tips before visiting the Duomo
Like any tourist monument, the affluence can be quite important and the waiting to return to the Cathedral a little long. So to avoid the queue in full sun, we advise you to come early in the morning and book your tickets in advance.
The Duomo being a religious monument, you must be properly dressed to return home. Think about covering your shoulders and legs on the day of your visit. You might not be able to return inside the monument. Access to the dome, campanile and museum is not allowed with large bags and backpacks. A locker room service is located at the museum ticket office.
There is a lot to bet that you will fall under the charm of this legendary city, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Italy. If you visit Florence and the Duomo, pay attention to Stendhal syndrome... This is what the writer would have felt during his trip to Florence in the 19th century and since many tourists have known. A kind of discomfort in front of too much beauty, to fall even in anguish crises... Are you ready to risk?
Monuments not to be missed around Duomo
When you come to visit the Dôme de Florence, don’t forget to explore the surroundings that are full of monuments!
- The Campanile (large tower that houses the bells) of architect Giotto
- The cathedral in itself
- The frescoes of the inside of the cupola of Giorgio Vasari
- The museum (Museo dell’opera del Duomo) with works (statues and reliefs) by Donatello, Michelangelo, Le Verrocchio...
- The piazza del Duomo (the place of the dome) in front of the cathedral, one of the most famous and frequented in Italy, in a historic centre classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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