A visit to Florence’s Duomo Museum is a must for art lovers. The museum contains many original works of art that once adorned the Baptistery, Bell Tower and Cathedral.
The museum’s showstopper is the Hall of Paradise, which recreates a Duomo facade. The museum also contains a display on the dome construction, original doors from the Baptistery and more.
Guided Tours
One of the most important and beautiful art museums in Florence, the Duomo Museum is housed within the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It features artworks by Michelangelo, Donatello, Verrocchio, and Luca della Robbia.
For a truly immersive experience, we recommend booking a guided tour with one of our professional guides who are fluent in your preferred language. They will guide you through the main sights of the Duomo while telling you interesting stories about the Cathedral and its history.
The guided tour will include access to Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Crypt of Santa Reparata. They also include the Opera del Duomo Museum where you can see great masterpieces by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Verrocchio.
The museum is an amazing place to learn about the history of Florence and the art that surrounds it. Despite it being overlooked by most tourists visiting Florence, it has recently undergone an extensive renovation to increase its capacity and to make sure that this gem remains in the spotlight.
The Dome
The Dome is an iconic landmark of Florence and a must-visit. It’s the largest brick dome in the world and arguably one of the most spectacular works of art in the city.
Its design was revolutionary in the early 14th century. It was constructed without the costly requirement of scaffolding and incorporated innovative techniques, including sandstone and wooden tension rings, called “chains.”
As a result, Brunelleschi was able to construct a structure that was strong and stable, even at high angles. The chains were embedded at regular intervals throughout the dome, allowing the ring and rib system to hold the inner and outer shells together.
Tickets to climb the Dome are required, so it’s best to make a booking well in advance. You’ll also need to purchase a ticket for Giotto’s Bell Tower if you want to visit it too.
The Baptistery
The Baptistery, a circular domed building clad in white marble, was built in stages starting in 1152 and combining Romanesque with Gothic. Construction was overseen by Diotisalvi and the Baptistery became a prototype for many other religious buildings in Italy.
It also features 3 sets of bronze doors (known as the “Gates of Paradise”), which are some of the greatest works of Renaissance art. The eastern door was designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti in the 15th century and is the best known of the three.
The interior of the baptistery is covered with gorgeous mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible and stories from ancient Rome. The famous mosaic “The Last Judgment” is particularly striking and has several layers of symbolism that took over 100 years to complete.
The Crypt
The Crypt of Santa Reparata is an underground chamber beneath the Duomo Museum that offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Florence and its early Christian community. Believed to date back to the 5th century, the Crypt is home to many tombs of Florentine bishops and other religious figures.
Inside, visitors will find a range of ancient columns, arches, and frescoes from different eras. They will also see remnants of the original church, including an imposing tower and a circular chapel.
The Duomo Museum houses many of the works of art that once adorned Santa Maria del Fiore, such as Michelangelo’s poignant pieta, Donatello’s Mary Magdalene as Penitent, and Lorenzo Ghiberti’s doors for the Baptistery. In addition to these iconic masterpieces, the museum also features a number of original building materials and equipment.
