Should we climb the Florence and/or Siena towers at our age?

Only you will know if your cardiac health will allow you to do those climbs.
As far as I am concered (77), my knees would object.

This question is best answered by your doctor ,not any lay person here

If it's even a question for you, then it might not be worth it. There are so many other places to see that don't have physical requirements. If you just want to get a bird's eye view of the city, you can do that from Piazzale Michelangelo. Only you can answer the question, "How much does it mean to you?"

My wife, at that stage a relatively fit woman in her early 30s, really damaged her knees climbing the bell tower of the Duomo in Florence. It took her some years to recover. I presuming this is the tower you've decided to avoid.

In Siena, the Torre Del Mangia is around 400 narrow steps (after around 150 wider steps to get to the tower) but was not as narrow and claustrophobic as Florence.

The easier, and possibly superior viewpoint in Siena is in the Duomo - on top of the incomplete wall that would have formed part of the new cathedral. You access it through the museum, and only have a short spiral staircase up onto the wall.

Only you will know if your cardiac health will allow you to do those climbs.
As far as I am concered (77), my knees would object.

Neither of us has any known cardiac problems, though at our ages who knows what's simmering?

This question is best answered by your doctor ,not any lay person here

True in a way, but my doctor has not climbed either tower so I was looking for someone who experienced it.

If it's even a question for you, then it might not be worth it.

I understand the point, but as we age there are a lot of things that become questions, many of which may not be a problem. On a trip to New Mexico we visited a park that had an ancient cave halfway up a wall, accessed by climbing timbers. The day before we read about the climb, both the official warnings and user posts. We weren't sure whether to try. But when we got there it didn't look too bad so we ascended -- it was easy; we couldn't understand why it was even an issue. So it's possible for it to be a question but not ultimately a problem.

Only you can answer the question, "How much does it mean to you?"

That is the question. Part of the answer is how difficult it is, and the other part is proving to ourselves that we're still capable, though not at the expense of exhaustion or collapse. I guess I'm mainly looking for the opinion of someone around our ages and condition.

The easier, and possibly superior viewpoint in Siena is in the Duomo - on top of the incomplete wall that would have formed part of the new cathedral. You access it through the museum, and only have a short spiral staircase up onto the wall.

I've done quite a bit of research but haven't come across this. Can you elaborate?

If you just want to get a bird's eye view of the city, you can do that
from Piazzale Michelangelo

It's a lovely walk and a beautiful view, I've skipped the Florence cathedral tower numerous times and strolled up to the Piazza Michelangelo, (not due to knee worries, I prefer walking to a destination) through some nice neighborhoods, although it does get crowded around sunset.

As I'm sure you know the Giotto tower climb has resting points with open areas where you can pretend to admire the view while you rest, but it is 414 steps to the top.

If you have real concern is physical I think the only sensible thing to do is to try it out. Find a long staircase and see how it feels to climb a bunch of stairs in a row. Look for a tallish building with an accessible staircase and see how many flights it takes before you regret your decision. Staircase climbing is popular for fitness so there may be one in your area that you can ask about it if nothing obvious comes to mind.

If you're looking for someone to answer the difficult but sensible question of "Are my monument climbing days behind me?" then no one else can answer that for you.

The full museum exploration provides great views of the Duomo as well.

Good luck and enjoy Florence either way,
=Tod

Go to a parking garage in your area, I used a hospital in my town, and try walking up the stairs the appropriate number of feet/steps and see how it goes. I did this in during knee replacement recovery.

I saw many senior citizens on the Dumo climb in Florence. They went at their own pace. But that climb is a challenge. The final staircase up is fairly steep.

We did the Duomo and Leaning Tower of Pisa climbs on back-to-back days. My spouse, however, was still sore from the Duomo, so passed.

BTW, we eliminated the Florence Duomo tower after reading that it's very confined and there's little opportunity to stop and rest on the way.

There are numerous opportunities along the side of a new staircase, out of the way of climbers. However, there is no seating. People would stand there for a minute or two, catch their breath, then proceed upwards.

Your question is highly subjective. There is no way for any of us to know if we are in the same physical condition as you and your wife. Only you can decide if you want to attempt these climbs. Be aware that for many people, traveling down the stairs is more difficult than going up. Are you willing to deal with that component if it becomes too difficult?

I'm of the unpopular opinion that most tower climbs are overrated. My husband and I are in our 70s. We are probably still capable of doing the climbs (we are hikers) but about 10-15 years ago we stopped for the following reasons; the risk of falling, it's tiring, they are usually claustrophobic and crowded, they cost money and the ultimate reward, the view, isn't always that great.

Now, we will climb a hill, where you are outside and get views all along the way, so Piazzale Michelangelo works for us. On hills you can stop anytime and turn around if you're not feeling it. But I don't care if I ever climb another church or bell tower.

Find a long staircase and see how it feels to climb a bunch of stairs in a row. Look for a tallish building with an accessible staircase and see how many flights it takes before you regret your decision.

That's a good suggestion. Although we live in a rural area; the tallest accessible buildings within 30 miles are no more than 6 stories. Come to think of it, that's the level my MIL's condo was. I did take the stairs sometimes, and it was no problem doing so, but I can't say I'm keen on doing it roughly four times in a row, in a crowded restricted space.

Be aware that for many people, traveling down the stairs is more difficult than going up. Are you willing to deal with that component if it becomes too difficult?

That might in fact be a problem for my wife -- when we hike outdoors she always prefers going up to going down.

I'm of the unpopular opinion that most tower climbs are overrated. My husband and I are in our 70s. We are probably still capable of doing the climbs (we are hikers) but about 10-15 years ago we stopped for the following reasons; the risk of falling, it's tiring, they are usually claustrophobic and crowded, they cost money and the ultimate reward, the view, isn't always that great.
Now, we will climb a hill, where you are outside and get views all along the way, so Piazzale Michelangelo works for us. On hills you can stop anytime and turn around if you're not feeling it.

Good points. I'd probably disagree about the view itself, but when you add in hordes of people I think you're right.

Okay, we'll probably settle for Piazzale Michelangelo. Thanks everyone for your replies.

" True in a way, but my doctor has not climbed either tower so I was looking for someone who experienced it." That's a specious response . The test under these circumstances is not whether the doctor has climbed the tower , but your underlying physical condition ,which ,at your age , should be assessed by appropriate medical evaluation . I'm not a doctor , but I am 80 ,and appropriate ,and timely assessment ( not to mention modern medical technology ) is keeping me alive . I was asymptomatic a year ago when my MD found I needed a new heart valve and a pacemaker . " Who knows what's simmering ? " Good point ! Ignorance is bliss !

I'm of the unpopular opinion that most tower climbs are overrated

I agree with you. If you want to do it that's great, but your visit to the city won't be impacted by giving it a miss in these specific situations.

Wife and I are in your age range. We simply avoid tower climbs. What's the point? Plenty of pix out there if you want to see the view. Go to a cafe and have a coffee.

" True in a way, but my doctor has not climbed either tower so I was looking for someone who experienced it." That's a specious response .

It was meant as an amusing response. For all I know my doctor has climbed the tower.

The test under these circumstances is not whether the doctor has climbed the tower , but your underlying physical condition ,which ,at your age , should be assessed by appropriate medical evaluation .

I do get an annual physical and, so far, have been rated fine. Last BP was 118/70 -- pretty good for 78.

I'm not a doctor , but I am 80 ,and appropriate ,and timely assessment ( not to mention modern medical technology ) is keeping me alive . I was asymptomatic a year ago when my MD found I needed a new heart valve and a pacemaker . " Who knows what's simmering ? " Good point ! Ignorance is bliss !

Agreed. Certainly we're more likely to have problems as we get older, but young people aren't immune. My 34 year old nephew has high blood pressure and very high cholesterol, and my age 30 great-nephew was just diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. So we all have to watch out, but we can't let it control us too much.

your visit to the city won't be impacted by giving it a miss in these specific situations.

Granted. I'm just trying to plan things as well as possible. You never know when your last trip might be your last trip.

Wife and I are in your age range. We simply avoid tower climbs. What's the point? Plenty of pix out there if you want to see the view. Go to a cafe and have a coffee.

Good advice, though it could improved by suggested a gelato to precede the coffee!

Edit: After talking it over with my wife we've decided to skip the towers. Again, thanks all for the advice.

I do hope you'll consider doing the "top of the wall" from inside the Duomo in Siena. Easy peasy and very worth it.

I do hope you'll consider doing the "top of the wall" from inside the Duomo in Siena. Easy peasy and very worth it.

Yes, we're planning on that for certain, thanks.

Okay, we'll probably settle for Piazzale Michelangelo. Thanks everyone
for your replies

IMHO, that's a really good decision. The view from up there is terrific! Actually, if willing to head a bit further up from the piazzale per some more steps, put San Miniato on your list. It's a very old, very important, and very interesting old lady. The attached cemetery is well worth a browse too!

http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/san_miniato.html
https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/san-miniato.html#google_vignette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07s4VVXZQqI. (Use this just for some historical background.)

The view from the Arnolfo Tower at the Palazzo Vecchio is pretty nice and is only 233 steps.

I was in good shape and 65 and climbed some tower in Italy. I don’t remember which one as I’ve climbed a few. I did ok but was quite happy that my thirty something son did some pushing on the way up and held my hand a bit on the way down.

It really depends on your cardiac condition and if it’s hot! I climbed the Florence Duomo by myself only to find the Instagramers monopolizing the entire area taking one photo after another with this pose and that pose and having to look at the photo to see if it was good enough! Truly annoying.
You can always turn around if it becomes too much.

I second the San Miniato view, it was also less crowded than Piazzale Michelangelo when we were there. We took a bus from our hotel and walked back, passing some beautiful roses (we were also there in October).

Another idea is to either stay at a hotel that has a rooftop terrace, or visit a restaurant/bar with views.

I'll add San Miniato and Arnolfo Tower to my list, and check out those links.

the Instagramers monopolizing the entire area

That was an important factor in deciding to skip the other towers, not Instagrammers specifically but the crowd in general.

Thanks, all.

"I've done quite a bit of research but haven't come across this. Can you elaborate?"
https://www.theroadtoanywhere.com/views-from-the-panorama-del-facciatone-in-siena-italy/

I'll add another recommendation for the view from San Miniato over Florence.

exercise every day, alternating 30 minutes of dumbbells with 3 mile walks at a moderate pace. The walks are all on level ground; no hills around us.

In addition I also do 80-100 bodyweight squats daily which are more specific to surmounting scores of steep spiral stone steps (try saying that five times fast 😄) but tower-climbing is out on account of bad knees. My spouse's not mine. Plenty of other great stuff to see. I think there's a happy medium between sitting life out for fear of age-related mishaps, and tempting fate unnecessarily just for the sake of proving you've still got it.

https://www.theroadtoanywhere.com/views-from-the-panorama-del-facciatone-in-siena-italy/

Thanks for the link. I went down to ask my wife to pursue it since she was researching the Siena duomo, and she had already found the Facciatone, though not the website you referenced. That is definitely on our list.

My husband and I just returned from a Florence trip in May. We are both 74 and seem in similar shape as you. However, our walks involve lots of hills and we live at over 5000 feet elevation. We climbed Florence's Duomo and Giotto's tower on separate days. The Duomo is our favorite because you get to see Vasari's frescoes in side the dome up close , exhibits on the inside climb, and the views at the top are wonderful. There is a place or two to rest on the way up and down but the last part is narrow and steeper. However, the foot traffic is one way in the Duomo while Giotto's Tower is two way. There isn't as much to see inside Giotto's.. Whatever you decide you will love Florence.

Thank you. We've decided not to make either of those climbs. We'll be going to Florence early in our trip and my wife wisely said why risk ruining the rest of the trip if we overextend the first few days. That makes sense, so no high tower climbs. But we will get some lesser viewpoints that I'm sure will suffice.

Whatever you decide you will love Florence.

We're counting on it!

Wise decision! And you got lots of feedback along the way. It's been a decade since I've been to Florence, so have added the San Miniato view, makes sense the crowds have gotten much larger since then.

It was meant as an amusing response. For all I know my doctor has climbed the tower.

I did get your joke.

I am now 80 and my wife 74. We climbed tower in Lucca in 2018, Siena in 2019, Oriveto 2022, Riva del Garda 2023, Bologna 2023 Also Strausburg France 2025. That doesn't count often walking over 20,000 steps and riding bikes for 150 miles on each trip. From your description you should do it. It is a great way to see the cities.

I am now 80 and my wife 74. We climbed tower in Lucca in 2018, Siena in 2019, Oriveto 2022, Riva del Garda 2023, Bologna 2023 Also Strausburg France 2025. That doesn't count often walking over 20,000 steps and riding bikes for 150 miles on each trip. From your description you should do it. It is a great way to see the cities.

Thanks, and I'm impressed!

Previous posters convinced me that it's not a good idea. Maybe we'll try one of the shorter ones that have the ability to turn back if it seems like too much.