Duomo of Florence

The Cattedrale de Santa María del Fiore is the famous cathedral with Brunelleschi's dome that they say they still don't really know how he did it. Construction began in the late 13th century and continued for 140 years when the dome was completed. This building replaced predecessor churches dating to the 4th century when the 1st was consecrated by Ambrose of Milan.
The 1st picture is the facade of the cathedral. The multicolored building is not painted those are all natural marble from different quarries nearby. The 2nd picture shows the facade and the bell tower. The 3rd captures parts of the baptistry, the cathedral facade, the bell tower and the Palazzo Vecchio in the background.
The 4th picture is the famous golden door of the baptistry that Michelangelo is reported to have said that the door is so beautiful, it must be the door to heaven. The name has stuck.
The last 2 pictures are in the nave. Being a Sunday, I didn't get to spend any more time between masses. I'll definitely be back to explore more, not least the construction of the dome.Read more