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Why Visit Florence Cathedral

In the heart of the Unesco-listed historic center of Florence stands the mighty and gorgeous Florence Cathedral. Called Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Italian (Duomo for short), it is located at the Piazza del Duomo, Cathedral Square.

The enormous cathedral is the symbol of the city of Florence and can easily be seen from far away, thus, it's no surprise that it is listed among the biggest cathedrals of our planet.

Dominating the Florentine skyline, this remarkable characteristic building is incredibly beautiful both on the inside and on the outside. The facade alone is quite impressive: white marble with shades of green and pink.

On the whole, the cathedral was built in Italian Gothic style while the dome was added during the Renaissance. The impressive dome is the largest brick dome of its kind in the world and was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.

Interestingly, the construction of the cathedral itself took almost two centuries and was begun in 1296. Previously a church from the 7th century stood on the very same place and you can see its remains inside of the crypt.

As the usually long line indicates, the interiors of the cathedral are well worth a visit. Luckily, the line moves surprisingly quickly, even though the entrance to the main attraction of the city is free.

The Duomo contains various impressive works of art and is an extraordinary unique space. Additionally, there is the possibility to climb the stairs placed right inside the walls of the dome for the astonishing full view over Florence (highly recommended experience, by the way)!

Standing right by the Duomo, the renown Baptistry of San Giovanni is another highlight of the so-called "complex" not to miss. Actually, many travelers choose to get a single complex ticket, allowing to enter both the mentioned above attractions as well as the crypt and the Bell Tower. The octagon church of the Baptistry boasts impressive mosaics and mighty adorned doors, it is also believed to hold many secrets.

Moreover, the square and the area surrounding it is an ideal place to take some time to explore and enjoy the atmosphere and the city's surroundings. There is always life, and numerous options for making a well-deserved rest, at one of the delightful cafes or restaurants, right in the center of historic Florence.

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