Florence Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Brunelleschi’s Dome: The Epicenter of Florentine Majesty

Few places in the world can rival the grandeur and splendor of Florence Cathedral. In this guide, you’ll learn how to plan your visit, including tips for booking tours and purchasing tickets, and exploring fascinating facts about this spectacular monument.

Florence Cathedral: A Marvel Inside and Out

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, commonly known as the “Duomo,” is stunning from the outside and uniquely simple inside.

Discover the best hotels in Florence with our insider tips

If panoramic views are what you crave, consider climbing Giotto’s Bell Tower or Brunelleschi’s Dome. Which to choose?

The bell tower has 414 steps, while the dome has 463. There are no elevators, so if in doubt, climb both at different times to enjoy Florence’s beauty under varying light conditions.

Booking a guided tour in English can add a special touch to your journey, enhancing your experience with expert insights into the cathedral’s history and architecture.

Brunelleschi’s Dome: A Climb to Remember

The climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome involves exactly 463 steps, with no elevator assistance. This challenging ascent is not recommended for those with heart conditions.

The best times to ascend the dome are early morning or late afternoon when the light is ideal for photography and the heat is less intense—especially useful advice for summer visitors (June to August).

While the climb may seem daunting, the shared experience with tourists from around the world makes it enjoyable. Midway, take a moment inside the Duomo to enjoy the views and snap some photos.

The Importance of Florence Cathedral’s Dome

The dome is an absolute masterpiece of art that has enchanted the world since its construction: it represents the symbol of Florence, the Renaissance, and Western humanism.

Florence Cathedral’s dome was built between 1420 and 1436 based on the design by Filippo Brunelleschi, and it is the largest masonry dome in the world. The concept of a dome already existed since the 14th century, but Brunelleschi’s notable innovation was to erect it without the use of supporting frameworks, as no wooden structure would have been able to support such weight.

Brunelleschi’s dome is an octagonal architectural masterpiece made from stone and brick.

The dome features an exterior diameter of 54.8 meters (179.8 feet) and an interior diameter of 45.5 meters (149.3 feet). It consists of two layers: an inner dome and an outer dome, each formed from eight curved sections called pendentives. One of these sections is more recessed than the others, providing support to the structure.

Connecting these two layers are 24 vertical ribs and 10 horizontal ribs. A stairway with 463 steps winds its way between the twin domes, leading up to the lantern at the summit.

The bricks of the dome are laid in a herringbone pattern, while the exterior is adorned with terracotta tiles and highlighted by eight white marble ribs that converge at the top ring, supporting the grand lantern above.

Giotto’s Bell Tower: A Gothic Masterpiece

The Campanile di Giotto, the cathedral’s majestic bell tower, is a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture.

The tower has a square base of approximately 15 meters (49.2 feet) on each side, with reinforcing corners extending all the way to the cantilevered horizontal crown, which is 84.7 meters (277.9 feet) above ground.

You can access the summit balconies by climbing a staircase of 414 steps that passes through three superimposed loggias, opening through elegant pairs of mullioned windows. At the last level, large three-mullioned windows offer splendid panoramic views.

The bell tower’s construction began in 1334 and was entrusted to Giotto, who provided the plan for the building before his death. His pupil Andrea Pisano and then Francesco Talenti completed the building in 1359, varying the initial project with the invention of the crowning terrace.

The exterior is entirely clad in white, red, and green marble, worked in geometric motifs and stylized flowers. The tower’s first two levels are enriched with precious sculptures carved in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Florence’s Campanile di Giotto: New Time Reservation System

The Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, which is responsible for managing the monuments of Florence’s Duomo, has decided to adopt a system of timed entry reservations for visiting the Giotto Bell Tower. This measure has already been successfully implemented at the Brunelleschi Dome, another famous monument in Florence, or at the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The aim of the new reservation system is to facilitate visits and gradually eliminate the long queues that form to access the monument. Furthermore, the intention is to reduce the pressure on the monument, favoring its better preservation.

Since May 3, 2023, visitors who have the “Giotto Pass” ticket will need to reserve an entry time to visit the Bell Tower. Fifteen entry times will be available daily, with the first at 8:15 am and the last at 6:45 pm, allowing a maximum of 120 people per time slot. Reservations can be made on the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore website or at the ticket offices.

New luggage storage now available at Piazza Duomo

Another important novelty is the opening of a luggage storage facility in Piazza Duomo 38/r (next to the museum entrance) starting May 1, 2023.

“This is a free service that the Opera offers to holders of the Brunelleschi Pass ticket, and it is the intention of our institution to gradually extend it to all visitors to our monuments,” explains the general director, Lorenzo Luchetti. The luggage storage regulations, with all the instructions to be followed, will be available on site, on the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore website (also in PDF format), and at the ticket offices via a QR code.

To support these changes, personnel will be available at the entrances of the Bell Tower, the Crypt of Santa Reparata, the Baptistery, the Museum, and the Cathedral’s Sagrato to provide information in various languages and facilitate visitor access.

Visitors to the Dome will have to leave bulky items, such as backpacks, packages, containers, and large bags, free of charge. Approximately 60% of Dome visitors bring bulky luggage, primarily backpacks, which slow down checks and do not allow for a comfortable visit for tourists, as it is necessary to climb and descend a steep staircase of more than 400 steps.

Different Ticket Options Available

The monuments of the Florence Cathedral, except for the free entrance to the Cathedral, can be visited by purchasing three types of tickets.

All three tickets are valid for three days from activation.

Reduced tickets are available for students and children aged 7-14.

Children under seven can enter for free.

Private Guided Tours

Guided tours in Florence’s Cathedral offer visitors an opportunity to delve deeper into the rich history and artistry of this magnificent monument.

With a knowledgeable guide, visitors can explore the stunning architecture, intricate details, and fascinating stories behind the Cathedral’s many chapels, sculptures, and paintings.

Book a Florence’s Cathedral Private Tour with Get Your Guide

Other tips about Florence

For those who wish to explore even more of Florence’s rich history and beauty, there are several options for sightseeing tours in the city. Among the highlights are visits to Accademia Gallery, the Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Pitti, where you can admire some of the most famous works of Italian Renaissance art, as well as discover fascinating curiosities and stories about the city and its inhabitants.

It is worth keeping an eye on the schedule of international shows and events in Florence and the surrounding areas.