May 19- Duomo Day

We got a combination ticket for The Baptistry, Duomo Museum, and Santa Reparata- the excavation under the Duomo (official name of the Duomo is The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore). We opted out of climbing the dome and the bell tower.

The Baptistry was the first stop. The dome is under reconstruction, so lots of scaffolding in the center of the building. The Baptistry contains some works of art, as well as the tomb of anti-Pope John XXIII.

We were headed to the Museum a bit before noon, since our "show time" for the Crypt of Santa Reparata was 1 pm. The line was the length of the Duomo, so W took a seat, and I took our place in line. I met a very nice family from Austin, Texas, whose maternal roots were Italian. Their daughter was charming- 10 or so with red braids, and very knowledgeable. It took the better part of 45 minutes to make it to the front of the line, and then into the Duomo and down to the excavation. It was fascinating - mosaics, tomb carvings. The first building may have started in the 3rd-5th century. The current Duomo, built over the crypt, was completed in 1436.

On to the Museum, which holds the Ghilberti doors (named Gates to Paradise by Michaelangelo) previously on the Baptistry. They were restored and moved to the museum in 1990 after damage from centuries of exposure and the flood of 1966. The museum houses works by Michaelangelo, Donatello, and many more. There is a Pieta by Michaelangelo from 1470. The chisel marks touched me- he actually made those marks- making his presence more apparent to me than the finished surfaces. The Donatello Mary Magdalen impressed me- she appears to be at total surrender to the Lord, giving hope to all.Read more