One of the main and first places to visit in Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore Basilica steals the scene for pretty much everything in Piazza del Duomo. With its imposing facade, Florence Cathedral is a must-see landmark whether you are spending only one day in Florence or more.
Very central and not far from Santa Maria Novella main station, you can’t possibly miss Florence Cathedral due to its imposing appearance as the main building of the majestic Santa Maria del Fiore complex in a relatively small square.
Piazza del Duomo is pretty much always included in most Florence guided tours and packed with tourists, so online booking in advance, especially for its Cupola (dome) is recommended and often necessary. The first time we planned our trip to Florence we arrived a bit unprepared and we managed to visit everything probably because the high season hadn’t started yet.
But it’s because of this that we decided to write a useful guide of things to know before you see Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo and also some interesting facts that can add value to your visit.
8 Interesting Facts About Florence Duomo
1. The Facade Took Centuries To Complete
The construction of the Florence cathedral started in 1296, the dome was consecrated in 1436, but the facade was completed only in 1871, almost 600 years later. Why?
All throughout the centuries needed for its completion, the construction of the facade has always meant trouble. And at the same time, all throughout the centuries, it has been surrounded by the most famous artists and fine masterpieces. One thing appeared certain from the beginning: the very first facade was less than acceptable in the landscape of the Florentine art scene. The same Lorenzo De’ Medici Il Magnifico in 1491 launched a contest for completion but halted it soon after.
During the 16th century, the facade went through different works, some recycled in other cities, others left in the original destination until 1587, when architect Bernardo Buontalenti was commissioned by Grand Duke Francesco I its demolition. Until the 19th century, several temporary facades were applied, often on the occasion of important events, royal weddings or official visits.
Finally, after numerous contests, in 1870 the facade was commissioned to Emilio De Fabris, who gave it the appearance we see today. He followed the Gothic-style decorations of Giotto’s bell tower using the same type of many-hued marble, and now the facade is one of the most important Italian neo-Gothic buildings.
2. It was erected on the site of an early-Christian basilica
Like many churches in Italy, also Florence Cathedral was built on top of an ancient, early-Christian church. The old Basilica of Santa Reparata probably dates back to the 6th century and was built as a thank-offering for the Christian victory against Radagaisus, the kings of the Goths, in 405.
Archaeological diggings under Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral carried out between 1965 and 1973 brought to light the remains of Santa Reparata Basilica, today visible when visiting the underground crypt less than three meters below the surface.
One of the most important early-Christian groups of buildings, Santa Reparata consisted of three naves with rows of pillars framing the main central nave and a fence to divide the main altar from the public area.
The original Santa Reparata basilica was rebuilt in the Carolingian era and while they did keep the previous shape, two side chapels, a small crypt and a new floor were added. Between 1050 and 1106, they built a new choir and a new crypt to preserve the remains of San Zanobi that will later be moved to the new, modern Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral.
3. At completion, it was Europe’s largest basilica
At the time of its completion in the 15th century, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral was Europe’s largest church.
It’s 153 meters long and, being pretty bare inside with little decoration, it gave the impression of an even larger space. To complete the imposing interior are no less than three apses instead of one and the multi-hued floor.
4. 1500 years of engineering behind the making of the dome
Some of the main buildings Brunelleschi took inspiration from for Santa Maria del Fiore Cupola include Rome’s Pantheon and in part also the feast room of Nero’s Palace described in great detail by Suetonius. As he wrote later, he hoped to outdo the ancient classics. While they were inspired by a “fake cult”, he was working on a temple of the Mother of God, hence assisted by the Holy Wisdom. At the same time, he took inspiration in many ways from the same Baptistery of St. John in Florence.
Right after the Roman classic buildings, the other important Christian dome was the round church built on the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Also known as the Rotunda of Anastasis, Emperor Constantine founded it in the 4th century. Brunelleschi never traveled to Jerusalem but very likely he read tales and saw the drawings widely circulating in the Western world.
Other domes Brunelleschi might have heard of or read about were the Basilica of Aya Sophia in Constantinople, modern Istanbul, and the Oljeitu Mausoleum in Iran’s Soltanyieh.
Brunelleschi’s dome enshrines the heritage of centuries of engineering, culture and architecture from different countries marking an epic defining moment.
5. Brunelleschi’s dome is the world’s largest brick vault
With a diameter of 45.50 meters, a 116-meter height, and a weight of 37.000 tons, when it was completed, the Cupola of Florence was the world’s largest dome, and still now, it maintains the record of being the world’s largest brickwork dome.
Built between 1420 and 1436, it was on August 7th, 1420 that the Opera of Santa Maria del Fiore, the establishment founded in 1296 to supervise all the works related to the Santa Maria del Fiore complex, kicked off its construction. So, just turning 600 in 2020, it is widely regarded as Brunelleschi’s most impressive creation and one of the most copied examples of domes around the world.
Brunelleschi died on April 5th, 1446 and for his funeral, he was dressed in white and placed in a coffin surrounded by candles with his eyes turned towards the dome he had built. Unlike most architects, whose job was considered of humble artisans, he was granted the high honor of being buried in the crypt of the cathedral.
6. The Cathedral was named after Florence’s symbol
The title of the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore comes from the symbol of the city of Florence, the lily (“fiore” in Italian means “flower”), and the city’s ancient name, Fiorenza.
You will see the red lily symbols pretty much everywhere in Florence, especially in official and public buildings.
7. Florence Cathedral as a “State Church”
Santa Maria del Fiore was paid for by the local Municipality because it was meant to become a “state church”. This is why the paintings, frescoes and portraits along the two side naves are part of a program to honor the people who played an important role in Florentine life and used their talent for the good of the community.
Some of this artwork includes a painting portraying the famous writer Dante Alighieri, portraits to honor Giotto, a fresco with Niccolò da Tolentino, and the portrait of Filippo Brunelleschi among others.
8. Giotto couldn’t see the bell tower complete
Even though built following a design by the great artist Giotto, he could only see the first part of the famous Campanile complete.
After his death in 1337, other artists that worked on the bell tower are Andrea Pisano, Luca della Robbia, and Alberto Arnoldi and was finally completed in 1359 by Francesco Talenti after the years of the deadly plague that hit the city between 1348 and 1350.
Things To Know Before Visiting Florence Cathedral
The main landmark of Florence city center, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is part of a gorgeous complex that can take you one or two days to visit. Depending on how much time you have and how much of its art and architecture you are aiming at discovering, you will decide what to see and do. Obviously, if you are staying only two days in Florence, you will hardly spend them all visiting the cathedral.
1. Expect a sober interior
As soon as you step over the threshold of Florence Duomo, you will find a stark contrast with the opulence and finely detailed decoration of the facade.
This has two main reasons.
First of all, it symbolizes the idea of space they wanted to give to the city’s main worship place. But also, it reflects the austere spirituality of Florence in the Middle Ages and early Renaissance. It’s the architectural transposition of the rigorous spirituality the philosophers of the religious life in Florence like Girolamo Savonarola and San Giovanni Gualberto advocated.
Second, in 1966 a massive flood brought much damage to the city and much of its artwork, including Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo. What remained of its works of art is now kept in the Museo dell’Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore. The museum displays a collection of more than 700 masterpieces by artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo and Ghiberti among the others that once decorated the cathedral.
2. Entering the Cathedral is free of charge
If you only want to enter the cathedral, you don’t need a ticket. This is because you might just want to enter to pray, and this can’t be charged.
This is also why sometimes you can find a long queue.
For all the other buildings of the Santa Maria del Fiore complex, you need a ticket. It’s a cumulative one costing 15 euros and valid for two days.
3. Don’t miss the Crypt below the Cathedral
Once inside the Duomo, you can’t possibly miss a visit to the underground crypt. If the Cathedral is sober and plain, the Crypt hides many treasures.
You will view what remains of the early-Christian basilica of Santa Reparata on top of which Santa Maria del Fiore was built.
You will descend some two meters and a half below the current street level to find the altar of the ancient church and its mosaic floor. There are also relics from Roman and medieval times and the tomb of architect Filippo Brunelleschi.
4. The Dome is the only place that requires booking
Once you buy or book your ticket for the Santa Maria del Fiore complex, you must reserve your spot for climbing Brunelleschi Dome.
In high season, you might need to wait even a couple of days before finding a spot. Especially if you are a larger group. This is why, if you can book online, it will save you time and headaches.
If you are going to Florence in the low season like we did (as low as it gets in Florence!), you can buy your ticket right from the ticket booth or vending machines facing the Baptistery.
Same thing here: after you purchase your ticket, you still need to reserve your spot for the Dome. Reservation is free of charge but mandatory. You can do so only through the vending machines as the office clerks can’t do it. The instructions of the vending machines are pretty easy and usually, there is someone to help.
5. No reservation is needed for the bell tower but highly recommended
As mentioned above, only the dome requires prior reservation. However, unless you are showing up at 8 am, booking your spot to climb the Giotto bell tower is recommended.
If you really want to climb it, you have limited time, and want to be sure not to queue too much, do reserve your spot.
