Visiting the Duomo in Florence – Your complete, honest, and practical guide to one of Italy’s most famous churches

A Little History (But Just the Good Stuff)

The story of the Florence Cathedral begins in 1296, when Florence was booming with wealth, power, and ambition. The city wanted a cathedral that would show the world just how important it was—not just in religion, but in art, culture, and vision.

So they started building Santa Maria del Fiore on top of the ruins of an older church called Santa Reparata. The first architect, Arnolfo di Cambio, laid out a bold plan: a huge Gothic structure with sweeping arches and massive walls. Then, like many great builders of the Middle Ages, Arnolfo di Cambio died before it was finished.

And so the project passed from hand to hand. Over the next 140 years, master builders and artists—including Giotto, Andrea Pisano, Francesco Talenti, and Giovanni di Lapo Ghini—each added their vision: side chapels, marble decorations, and Giotto’s soaring bell tower. The Cathedral slowly rose—but one very big part was still missing.

The Problem: The Missing Dome

By the early 1400s, the Cathedral walls were finished, and there was a giant hole in the roof where the dome should be—a hole 45 meters wide. No one knew how to cover it.

At the time, no largest dome had been built since ancient Rome. And the Florentines, proud as ever, refused to settle for a wooden roof or a smaller structure. They wanted something magnificent. Something impossible.

That’s when Filippo Brunelleschi came forward.

Filippo Brunelleschi Changes Everything

Filippo Brunelleschi wasn’t a traditional architect. He had trained as a goldsmith. But he had something the others didn’t: a revolutionary idea.

He proposed building a dome without scaffolding, using a system of brick spirals, inner support shells, and custom machines he invented himself. Nobody had ever seen anything like it. The city gave him the job, and in 1420, construction began.

It took 16 years. There were setbacks, arguments, rivalries, and sabotage. But in 1436, the dome was complete—and it became the largest masonry dome in the world, a title it still holds today.

Even more amazing? It’s still standing after nearly 600 years. No steel. No modern reinforcements. Just bricks, gravity, and Brunelleschi’s genius.

The Duomo Façade Comes Much Later

You might assume the colorful front of the Cathedral—the white, pink, and green marble you see in every photo—has been there all along. But it’s actually much newer.

The original medieval façade was never completed, and in the late 1500s, it was torn down entirely. For centuries, the Cathedral stood with a rough brick front. Finally, in the 19th century, a public competition led to the design you see today—created by architect Emilio De Fabris and completed in the 1880s.

So while the Dome and walls are medieval, the face of the Duomo is a mix of revival style, modern craftsmanship, and a lot of Florentine pride.

Visiting the Inside of Florence Cathedral

Yes, you can go inside—and yes, it’s worth it.

One of the best surprises in Florence? You can enter the Duomo for free.

You don’t need a ticket to step inside of Santa Maria del Fiore. Just wait in line, pass through security, and you’re in.

What You’ll See Inside the Duomo

Take your time as you walk through the long central aisle—called the nave. Look up, slow down, and let your eyes adjust to the scale. Here are some highlights:

• The Dome from below
  Look up into Brunelleschi dome and you’ll see a swirling, intense fresco of the Last Judgment painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. Angels, saints, devils, fire—it’s all there, and from the floor, you get a powerful sense of its scale.
• Paolo Uccello’s 24-hour clock
  Above the main doors is one of the most fascinating clocks in Europe. It runs counterclockwise, follows “hora italica” (where the 24th hour ends at sunset), and still works. The four Evangelists stare down from each corner of its face.
• Stained glass windows
  High along the walls, you’ll find vibrant stained glass windows created by artists like Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Andrea del Castagno. They show scenes from the lives of saints and cast soft, colored light across the stone floors.
• The marble floor
  Beneath your feet, the floor is made of geometric black, white, and red marble patterns. Watch how the sunlight from the windows glides across it—it’s like a quiet light show.
• Tombs and chapels
  You’ll notice large tombstones in the floor and chapels tucked along the sides. Many hold the remains of bishops and artists who helped shape the Cathedral’s history.

What’s Not Included in the Free Visit

While the free visit gives you a lovely glimpse into the heart of the Cathedral, it doesn’t include everything. Here’s what you’ll need a ticket for:

• Brunelleschi’s Dome – A timed reservation is required to climb the 463 steps to the top. You’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Florence and a stunning close-up of the Last Judgment fresco inside the dome. Spots fill up quickly, so book well in advance.
• Santa Reparata Crypt – Hidden beneath the Cathedral, this underground space reveals the remains of the original 4th-century church, complete with ancient mosaics and tombs.
• Giotto’s Bell Tower – Climb 414 steps to reach one of the best panoramic viewpoints in Florence. The exterior’s colored marble is stunning, and the view of the Dome from here is unbeatable.
• Baptistery of San Giovanni – One of the oldest buildings in Florence, famous for its glittering gold ceiling mosaics and Ghiberti’s bronze “Gates of Paradise” doors.
• Opera del Duomo Museum – A treasure trove of original sculptures, tools, and architectural models from the Cathedral’s construction, including works by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Ghiberti. It ties the entire story of the Duomo together.

So while the free visit offers a beautiful glimpse into the soul of the Cathedral, the real experience—the hidden levels, the climb, the views—comes with entry tickets.

Advanced booking is essential. Some types of tickets sell out weeks or even a month in advance, especially for the Dome climb. To avoid missing out, it’s highly recommended to purchase your tickets in advance online and plan your visit accordingly.

A Quick Word on Etiquette

It’s easy to forget, with all the cameras clicking and the long line outside, that the Duomo is still a church.

This is an active place of worship, and a strict dress code is enforced by staff—it’s not just a suggestion.

To enter, you must:

• Cover your shoulders (no tank tops or strapless tops)
• Wear pants, dresses, or skirts below the knee
• Remove hats and sunglasses inside

If you’re not dressed appropriately, you may be turned away or handed a disposable shawl—but don’t count on it. It’s best to bring a scarf or light layer with you. Otherwise, you’ll likely have to buy one last-minute from a nearby vendor—and you’ll pay double the normal price.