Discover the grandest monumental complex of Florence, where masters like Giotto, Brunelleschi and Michelangelo competed over the centuries to create the greatest artistic and architectural expression of Christianity.
A fully immersive journey in man’s centuries-long strive to reach God: learn how Brunelleschi invented the way to defy gravity, admire the divine beauty that the Middle Age and Renaissance greatest artists created in architecture, sculptures, paintings, mosaics.
With the top-class quality of a Florencetown VIP small-group tour and the personalized attention of our professional English speaking guides.
Start this journey with an in-depth visit of the newly reopened Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the largest concentration of Florentine monumental sculpture in the world, and the ideal place to learn about the architectural designing and stylistic evolution of the Cathedral and all its related monuments.
Most of the masterpieces on display were specifically designed to adorn the interior or exterior of the religious monuments that still stand on the museum's doorstep and which today form a single group known as the “Great Museum of the Cathedral”: the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) and Giotto's Bell Tower. Indeed the humanism typical of modern Western history found its first monumental expression here: discover masterpieces by Arnolfo di Cambio, Ghiberti, Donatello, Della Robbia, Pollaiolo, Verrocchio, Michelangelo (including an incredible "Pietà").
The impressive museum’s main hall evokes the city square corresponding to the “Paradise” of Florence, with the Cathedral to the East and the Baptistery to the West. See the imposing 1:1 reconstruction of the earliest cathedral facade, never completed and finally dismantled in 1587, reconstructed here on the basis of a 16th-century drawing, making it possible to place many of the statues carved for it in their original positions. Learn how the massive self standing cathedral dome was built and how it can still firmly dominate Florence skyline after 600 years, withstanding lightning, earthquakes and the passage of time. With his astonishingly innovative approach in vaulting the dome space without any scaffolding, Brunelleschi changed the rules of architecture forever, by inventing the way to defy gravity and reach eternity.
After this comprehensive focus, and a break to enjoy a gelato (Italian ice-cream) or espresso coffee, visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni, a jewel in white and green marble, with its magnificent mosaics inside and the superb bronze doors, including the renowned East Door, that Michelangelo called “the Gates of Paradise”, to underline the extraordinary quality of Lorenzo Ghiberti’s masterpiece, worthy of the kingdom of heaven.
And finally, the focus on Florence Duomo: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which is also often considered the symbol of the city.
Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the cathedral is the third largest church in the world (after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London) and it was the largest church in Europe when it was completed in the 15th century. The numerous different styles that you’ll encounter in the building bear witness to changing tastes over the long period of time that elapsed between its foundation and its completion.
You will also have the chance to visit the cathedral Crypt, which houses the remains of the old basilica of Santa Reparata, the most tangible evidence of early Christianity in Florence.
A nice and interesting booklet on the tour and the city will be our present that you can take back home with you to remember this wonderful experience.
Included in the price of this tour, clients will have the opportunity to visit by themselves the other locations of the Great Museum of the Cathedral in the next 48 hours, like Brunelleschi's Dome and Giotto's Bell Tower.
The most comprehensive visit of the Cathedral complex of Florence.
The most astonishing journey in the world of Christianity.
EVERY DAY (except Sundays) at 9:30AM
Approx. 3 hours
APRIL to OCTOBER
Price Notes: EUR 69 p.p. (adults)
students 10% disc. / children 6-12 50% disc. / children 0-5 FREE
FLORENCETOWN Office - Via de' Lamberti, 1 - Florence SEE MAP
Please note that this tour is not suitable for people with impaired mobility.
Big bags and liquid bottles will not be allowed inside the museums.
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
Included in the price of this tour, clients will have the opportunity to visit by themselves the other locations of the Great Museum of the Cathedral in the next 48 hours, like Brunelleschi's Dome and Giotto's Bell Tower.
This tour runs rain or shine.
This service is provided by Florencetown Tour Operator - Terms & Conditions
