The Dome, built by Filippo Brunelleschi who won the competition for his commission in 1418, has a characteristic egg shape and was built without the use of scaffolding. The raising of the dome, the largest in the world at that time, was not easy. At the base of the dome, just above the tambour, Baccio d 'Agnolo began to build a marble gallery in 1507. Once one of the eight sides of the 1515 gallery was finished, Michelangelo was asked for an opinion on the work, whose artistic evaluation was obviously held in high regard. The master replied that it seemed to him "a cage for crickets" and the work was stopped, leaving the other seven sides of the octagon unfinished, which have only a brick decoration.

You have to book the climb

The best way to admire the dome is to climb its 463 steps: the path leads through the inside of the dome and allowing you to see the beautiful frescoes by Giorgio Vasari up close.

The OPA single pass allows you to climb to the top of the dome, but you must book the date and time of the ascent. Once the reservation is made, YOU CANNOT CHANGE.

Vasari designed and worked on an extraordinary Last Judgment, which, on his death, was finished by Federico Zuccari, his pupil, in 1579. The frescoes were completely cleaned in 1996, which was seen by some as a waste since in cities other important works were in greater need of restoration. However, the cleaning brought to light the innovative colors used by Zuccari.

Continuing to climb, you reach the lantern on the top of the dome, from where you can enjoy an extraordinary view over the city of Florence.

In Piazza del Duomo, I recommend a visit to the Baptistery and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, where you can admire all the original statues and works of the Duomo up close, including the recently restored original doors by Ghiberti. For another breathtaking view of Florence, I recommend the ascent of Giotto's Bell Tower.