Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is the magnificent Tuscan cathedral in Firenze, Italy, widely known for its impressive domed roof. Construction started in 1296 and the dome was completed in 1436, making it the largest masonry dome constructed since antiquity. An iconic symbol of Florence and of Italy, it is the third largest church in the country and the fourth largest in the world. Inside there is a wealth of art, including Donatello’s gilded bronze sculpture ‘Judith and Holofernes’ and Michelangelo’s ‘Pietà’. The interior of the dome is lavishly decorated with 12,000 tiles painted with images of the Florentine patron saint, John the Baptist. Visiters can climb up to the top of the dome and enjoy a breathtaking view of Firenze and the Tuscan countryside.