Florence Cathedral Tickets + Audio Guide

Visit the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower

The Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo, is the spiritual heart of the city and a testament to human genius. Its construction started in 1296 over the remains of the former church of Santa Reparata with the ambitious goal of surpassing the cathedrals of the rival cities, Pisa and Siena, in size and beauty.

After over 140 years of construction and the intervention of maestros like Arnolfo di Cambio and Giotto, the cathedral became one of the largest basilicas in Christianity. The Duomo's greatest historical challenge was its enormous dome. For decades, the cathedral remained "unfinished" and open to the sky because no one knew how to build such an immense structure without it collapsing.

It wasn't until 1420 that Filippo Brunelleschi unveiled a revolutionary design: a self-supporting double-shell dome that forever changed the course of architecture and officially marked the beginning of the Renaissance.

Today, its red-brick silhouette continues to dominate the Florence skyline as one of the world's most admired structures.

What to See in the Florence Cathedral?

Once you enter the Duomo, you'll dive into the historic heart of the city. As you explore its rooms, the audio guide in English will reveal details of its construction and the symbolism of its artworks. During the visit, you can admire:

• Brunelleschi's dome: from inside, you'll be able to admire the sheer scale of this engineering marvel.
• The Last Judgement by Vasari and Zuccari: the spectacular frescoes that adorn the interior of the dome.
• Stained-glass windows and marble floors: a display of color and geometry that tells the story of centuries of Florentine history.
• Paolo Uccello's clock: one of the few clocks in the world that still uses "Italian time."

Additional Info

Please note that, although the general access to the Florence Cathedral is free, this activity has a cost because it includes the following:

• Audio guide in English: so you can enjoy the complete visit with historic and artistic context.
• Reserved access: group organization and entrance in a specific time slot to make the process quicker.
• Assistance: an English-speaking tour assistant at the meeting point to help you access the cathedral.