Main Entrance to the Duomo
Most of the crowds had left by the time we reached the Duomo so Susanne and I could photograph the stunning facade without too many people in the way.
Campanile
We approached the main door, thinking that would be the point of entry. Directions in Italian didn’t help, so we moved to admire the Campanile, designed by Giotto in 1334 but not finished until 1359, after his death. Part of the facade is clad in marble, making it almost too beautiful. We must have walked the whole way around the cathedral, before finding access into the building.
Main entry side
Side wall
Brave souls view the city from the top of the Duomo
The dome itself, designed by Brunelleschi, was completed in 1436. It is huge, and acts as a landmark for visitors. Because the dome rises over the main altar we had to
Inside the dome
behave like good Catholic women, bowing our heads and clasping hands together in prayer in order to gain access to that area inside the cathedral.
Vasari’s frescoes
Looking up, we were in awe of Vasari’s frescoes of the Last Judgement, which cover the interior of the dome. Guards soon came to tell us that we couldn’t take photos but fortunately, my sister had already done the deed and although my photos aren’t perfect, I’m pleased to have a record.
We then sat down on pews which face a secondary altar behind the main one and offered our prayers of gratitude.
As in so many of these grand cathedrals, the floor is covered with stunning marble mosaics which I wanted to capture, but I had a problem with wandering feet—other peoples’, and could only take a few photos. Stained glass fills windows on every side; one in particular caught my eye because so much brilliant blue glass was used (and that colour was very rare and expensive).
As we walked towards the back of the cathedral, I looked up and noticed the simple lines—Florentine architecture at its best. Then, at the back, above the main entrance doors,
is an ancient clock with the numbers upside down. Whenever I find a clock inside a church I wonder about its significance. This one is ornate, decorated in 1443 by Paulo Uccello, but I wanted to know why it was in such an important position in a building that is supposed to be dedicated to God. Perhaps I’m supposed to remember that time is in God’s hands, not mine.
Certainly, our time to leave was fast approaching. Outside, a taxi driver waved to us, hoping for a fare.
Florentine taxi
We walked back to our accommodation, exhausted but satisfied. What a day – Michaelangelo’s David in Galleria dell Accademia, Fra Angelicos’ frescoes in San Marco, a surprise discovery of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions and the Duomo. Luckily our fridges were still stocked with food and drinks from our visit to the market. We slept well that night, knowing we had another big day ahead of us.