Symbols of Florence: The Duomo

As iconic as it is large, the Duomo could arguably be considered the symbol of Florence. Located in the heart of the city’s center, you can always find your way from there if you ever get lost in the streets of Florence. The original name of the Duomo is the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Flower) and is the home church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence. Many people consider this to be where the Renaissance was born.

Construction began on this massive church in 1296. However, it wasn’t until 1436 that the Duomo received its actual dome. For more than a century the church was open-ended and allowed the elements to come in and had unsteady roofing. The design for the dome proved to be a bit of an intimidating task for the engineers and architects of the time. It was architect Filippo Brunelleschi who resolved the problem. He decided that two domes should actually make the Duomo. One of the domes would be made of marble and sand stone, and the other made of brick and mortar.

To learn more about this great figure in Renaissance history, take the VIP Great Museum of Florence Duomo: The Gate of Paradise tour at Florencetown! With this tour, you can visit the Museum, the Baptistery, and the Cathedral of the Duomo!