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Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

4.7

#1 of 114 in Historic Sites in Florence

Religious Site Historic Site

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The symbol of the city and its main church, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is renowned for its huge dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, one of the foremost architects of the Italian Renaissance. This Gothic structure, begun in 1296 following the design of architect Arnolfo di Cambio, was completed in 1436. The elaborate facade is a 19th-century addition that represents the Gothic Revival style prevalent across Europe at the time. The cathedral complex, which includes a baptistery and a bell tower, is part of a World Heritage site covering the historic center of the city. In the piazza in front of the cathedral, a statue of Brunelleschi looks upwards towards his dome. You can climb the 464 steps to the dome through the entrance on the side of the church, but be prepared for a long line. With our international travel planner, Florence attractions like Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore can be center stage of your vacation plans, and you can find out about other attractions like it, unlike it, near it, and miles away.

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Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore Reviews

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28,027 reviews

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4.8

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4.8

3 likes

• By fongkokhoong

  I climbed up a couple of monuments to get the aerial view of the surroundings. This dome is the worst in steepness and number of steps. Do get mentally prepared. When you descend, you will walk into.....  more »

• By ECYW

  The Florence Cathedral is a must visit place when at Florence. We were there in December over Christmas and it was beautiful. The only downside is that there were so many tourists, especially if you.....  more »

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• By Alex Hays

  Profoundly beautiful and world famous. I attended mass at the Cathedral, you enter by the side door on the Campanile side of the building. The church provides the order of worship (in Italian, as you would expect) and all readings in English, German, Spanish and French. You’ll have no trouble following along. Some masses are joined by the Cathedral Chapter, which is to say the religious attached to the cathedral. The mass I attended included the cardinal archbishop, three bishops, and many priests.

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• By mahek shah

  Cathedral di Santa Maria is a spectacular gigantic building with huge dome, right in the centre of Florence. The dome is visible from many streets in old Florence. This building was built in the golden era of Europe "Renaissance". With white green and pink marbles, and the creative carvings and sculptures all over the building, it surely makes us realize the importance of Renaissance in Europe. The huge dome is the highlight of the building. As stunning on the outside, more beautiful inside with paintings and sculptures.

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