Hotels near Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo)

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore dominates the Florence skyline with Filippo Brunelleschi's terracotta-tiled dome, which remains the largest masonry dome ever constructed. Construction began in 1296 under Arnolfo di Cambio and continued for nearly 150 years. The exterior is clad in white, green, and pink marble panels from Carrara, Prato, and Siena. Inside, the nave stretches 153 metres long, and Giorgio Vasari's fresco of the Last Judgment covers 3,600 square metres of the dome's interior surface.

The Duomo complex is actually five sites under one ticket (EUR 30): the cathedral interior (free), Brunelleschi's Dome climb (463 steps), Giotto's Bell Tower (414 steps), the Baptistery of San Giovanni, and the Opera del Duomo Museum. Reserve a timed slot for the dome climb online, as walk-up availability is limited. The cathedral itself is free to enter but requires modest dress - shoulders and knees must be covered.

Pro Tip: Book the earliest dome climb slot (08:15) to beat the crowds. The narrow stairway between the inner and outer shells of the dome gets congested by mid-morning, and the 360-degree view from the top lantern is best appreciated in soft early light.