Okay, this may be a silly question, and I am trying to picture this (and find answers online). Am I right to assume that, when visiting the Duomo in Florence, you can view the interior frescos of the Dome with entry to the Cathedral? I understand that the Dome climb is a separate ticket. I’m not sure that I (or, rather, my knees) can handle the climb, but I do want to the Dome interior.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7168 posts
Yes
You might want to bring binoculars
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16549 posts
As Christine said, you can see them but they're waaaaaaay up there so bring binocs to see detail. From the ground it'll look something like this (not my photo);
We were unable to stand directly under the dome as they had the area around the altar roped off but that may have changed.
Posted by
Huntsville, TX, USA
319 posts
Yes, you can see from the floor. The recommendation of binoculars is a good one. I'd also suggest a mirror to save your neck strain. Of course when you make the climb they are easier to see up close. The last time I did this there was a door that let you enter the interior base of the dome. I was able to walk around part of the interior with amazing views before exiting another door to keep heading up. I am not sure if you can head down after getting to the dome but that might be worth checking out. Good luck!
Posted by
USA
2 posts
Duomo is made of several components, not just the Cathedral. There is a single admission ticket giving you access to Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Opera Museum. Entrance into the Cathedral itself is free.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16549 posts
There is a single admission ticket giving you access to Brunelleschi's
Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt
of Santa Reparata and the Opera Museum. Entrance into the Cathedral
itself is free.
True, the cathedral is free but Opera di Santa Maria Del Fiore no longer offers a single ticket that allows entrance to all of its parts. See the website:
https://operaduomofirenze.skiperformance.com/en/store#/en/buy
Tickets are available for these individual sections:
Dome (timed entry)
The Bell Tower (timed entry)
Opera Duomo Museum + Baptistry
Duomo terraces (timed entry)
Baptistry (only available for the first Tuesday of each month)
EDIT: Ignore the info above! The duomo has just added 3 brand-new combo pass options for the complex. See "Tickets from March 1 2022" under the image of the painting in the link above.
Posted by
Portland, OR (PDX)
324 posts
A number of years ago I read Ross King's Brunelleschi's Dome, How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture. Fascinating account of how Brunelleschi actually designed the dome, and how he did it in such a way it was constructed without internal scaffolding!
I heartily recommend it to anyone contemplating visiting the Duomo.
Posted by
Indiana
1008 posts
Kathy, I’m assuming your link is the official website to order tickets? We arrive on a Saturday morning and the afternoon is the only time we can visit. I know the terrace climb is closed Sunday. When I look at that website and the terrace link, it only says it’s good thru Feb 28th. Does that mean you can only purchase tickets a month or so in advance?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16549 posts
Yes, the link above is to the official website. The main page is here:
https://duomo.firenze.it/en/home
I see that it states that the terraces, "...will be open until 28th February, 2022." Under "Buy products", there's no ability to purchase for dates beyond Feb. 28th, and that's true for other parts of the complex as well. But the other thing I see is that if you go to the timetables section of the main page and "Change date" under "Timetables" to any one in March or later, the Terraces show as closed, where other parts do not. That area may be scheduled for maintenance or public closure for some other reason.
Sure wish I had a solid answer for you but poking around the site didn't turn up any closure announcements that I could find. You might contact them for info? [email protected]
Posted by
Indiana
1008 posts
Thank you, Kathy! I’m back to planning our May trip. Thankfully I have just about all our tours booked, same ones from 2 years ago. Im getting hopeful and excited!
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4162 posts
This PBS NOVA documentary from some years ago,https://youtu.be/E3LGWjel0r8 is a must see in preparation for a visit . It will give you an insight into the cathedral , that eludes most visitors . Enjoy !
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16549 posts
See the edit in my previous post above. There are new combo passes available!
Susan, the basilica is still free unless you want to climb the dome.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1117 posts
If the view of the Duomo dome frescoes doesn't impress, walk across the piazza to the Baptistry. Beautiful gilt doors on the outside (the "Gates of Paradise"), and inside a terrifying fresco of Satan devouring the sinners, and on the other side a Christ with TWO right hands! The frescoes are much closer to the viewer than those of the Duomo.
See photos:
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/268879040225834390/
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_mosaic_ceiling_of_the_Baptistery_of_Florence.jpg)
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16549 posts
Agreed, Darren! The interior of the baptistry is a heck of a thing to see! Will advise that it's been under restoration and so there's been scaffolding obstructing some of the decoration. It's uncertain when that will be completed but was slated for end of 2021 so while the duomo website notes it's still ongoing, hopefully it will be finished soon.
https://duomo.firenze.it/en/discover/baptistry
From a year ago: https://www.theflorentine.net/2021/01/22/florence-baptistery-restoration-pictures/
You can see the actual "Gates of Paradise" in Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore. The set on the baptistry are very fine copies, plenty impressive if you don't have time for the museum.
https://duomo.firenze.it/en/discover/opera-duomo-museum/artworks