To go to Florence and not see Duomo di Firenze would be a sin. I had already committed the deadly sin of visiting Tuscany and not visiting Florence during a trip to Pisa. I was determined not to make that mistake on this trip to Italy.
Fresh off an early train from Pisa, as I explained in my previous post showcasing the views from Giotto’s Campanile, we embarked on strolls through the heart of Florence after settling into our cute little apartment in Piazza St Croce. As our train approached Florence you could see Brunelleschi’s Dome, The Nave, Giotto’s Campanile and a glimpse of Duomo di Firenze.
The mere sight of the beautiful structures peering above all buildings as you approach into the city is enough to get anyone excited. As you can imagine my eyes had already lit up like a Cheshire cat and my husband, who although was excited to visit Florence was wondering what Insta-madness he was in for on the trip. I was quickly bundled up into a taxi before the Nikon was out of my tote, but I am sure he sensed the escape from photography click-a-thon was only temporary.
Our taxi meandered through the streets of Florence and in between gaps I could see Duomo di Firenze and the closer and closer our taxi got the big the gaps in between seeing and not seeing Brunelleschi’s Dome until we arrived at our Airbnb apartment. For the best Airbnbs in Florence check out the post by Luxury Travel Hacks.
Having settled in, Italian coffee sipped it, was time to refresh and head out to the check out the Duomo di Firenze up close or as it now called Florence Cathedral. By the way, if you are a lover of Italian coffee then you can learn how to order coffee in Italy from Travel Stained.
You see pictures of this place but nothing prepares you for that close-up. The details of the facade. The colours, the intricate carvings, the statues, the engraving, the religiousness(if that’s a word) of it all. Its all consuming and captivating and suddenly the place is quiet and all the noise and footsteps of the bustling hub that is Piazza del Duomo.
Suddenly that look of a Cheshire cat is back again and you suddenly have to shake it off and get out of dreamland. Join the real world again. The beautiful facade is not the world is a collective of several artists and has been remodeled a number of times with some of the original sculptures now in Museum Opera del Duomo(just behind the cathedral), with others in Berlin Museum and Louvre Museum.
It’s amazing the patience and time its taken to produce these buildings. Designed by many architects, designers, and artists, each with their own style and talents all culminating to produce such a magnificent building and collection of buildings all of them blending beautifully together making it feel and look like one beautiful mind dreamt it all up when it has taken centuries to finish, is nothing short of amazing! If you haven’t been or seen Florence and the Duomo di Firenze, Brunelleschi’s Dome, The Nave, Giotto’s Campanile then you need to get it on your travel plans pronto! This beautiful city also makes the perfect addition to a 2 week Italy itinerary.
Where To Stay In Florence
Florence is not such a grand city so wherever you choose to stay it won’t be more than 30 mins walk to Duomo di Firenze on the Piazza del Duomo. We Stayed in Pizza Santa Croce meters to the River Arno and a short walk to the main town hub. We booked an apartment in Florence so to find a similar option of an apartment in Florence see here or for hotels in Florence see here.
Seems like you had fun! I am keeping notes as Italy is one of my dream destinations but I have yet to book a trip!
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