Start planning

Florence · Italy

Florence Cathedral

A major religious monument in Florence, valued for its architecture, art and place in the city’s historical development.

Plan a trip here Website / visitor information
Florence Cathedral Filip Maljković · CC BY-SA 2.0
Typical visit
1 hour
Setting
Indoor
Region
Tuscany
Last checked
9 Aug 2026

Why visit

The cathedral, Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s campanile and baptistery form a concentrated introduction to medieval and Renaissance Florence. Construction of Santa Maria del Fiore began in 1296; Filippo Brunelleschi’s great dome was completed in the fifteenth century and became a defining work of Renaissance engineering.

What you will see

  • Main façade and exterior massing.
  • Nave, chapels or principal interior spaces.
  • Historic artworks and liturgical furnishings.
  • Relationship with the surrounding square or old town.

History

Construction of Santa Maria del Fiore began in 1296; Filippo Brunelleschi’s great dome was completed in the fifteenth century and became a defining work of Renaissance engineering.

Visitor tips

  1. 1

    Allow time to look at the surrounding settlement or landscape as well as the principal site, and check current access information before setting out.

About Tuscany

Florence, Siena, Pisa and the smaller hill towns bring together Renaissance art, medieval civic architecture, cathedral complexes, fortified centres and the island landscapes of the Tuscan coast.

Open the Italy guide

Combine it with

More to see around Florence

All of Florence
Uffizi Gallery Florence · Italy A major museum in Florence, presenting collections that illuminate an important strand of Italian art, archaeology or cultural history. Ponte Vecchio Florence · Italy A significant cultural or landscape site in Florence, representing a distinctive part of the region’s history and visitor experience. Piazza del Campo Siena · Italy A landmark in Siena that forms a recognisable part of the city’s public space, architecture and historical identity. Siena Cathedral Siena · Italy A major religious monument in Siena, valued for its architecture, art and place in the city’s historical development. Leaning Tower of Pisa Pisa · Italy A significant cultural or landscape site in Pisa, representing a distinctive part of the region’s history and visitor experience. Lucca City Walls Lucca · Italy A landmark in Lucca that forms a recognisable part of the city’s public space, architecture and historical identity.

Already worked out

Ready-made trips through Florence

All ready-made trips
Florence, Siena and the Tuscan Core 3 days · 5 stops · Moderate pace Pair Florence’s cathedral, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio with a full day among Piazza del Campo and Siena Cathedral.