Duomo

We left Florence a week ago, after 5 weeks of getting to know this glorious city. It is one we have both agreed we would return to, given the chance. It is a gentle city, a very artistic sentiment in the people who are drawn to live here, a peaceful and introspective soul about the place. 

We've experienced "fall in love with Florence".

So, the soul of Florence centres around the Duomo. You can see it from everywhere towering above all other buildings, and when at street level, you just need to look left or right to get your bearings, "all roads lead to The Duomo". To use the word spectacular is an understatement, jaw--dropping is closer to the truth. It silences you when you first lay eyes upon it. Innumerable portraits abound, throughout the centuries since it was built.

Begun in 1296, it took 150 years to complete. To quote our Lonely Planet guide, "...among Italy's top 3 [sites], (Pisa & Colosseum), it's red-tiled dome, graceful bell tower and breathtaking pink, green and white marble facade have the wow factor in spades."  We have found our favourite spots on the outskirts of the city, with always the Dome in view. And we save an interior visit until this last week, wanting to learn as much as we can about the history, art, music, patrons, rulers, clergy, Bonfire of the Vanities!, and more before we step inside.

In daylight, before we enter. Our weeks here have been sunny, warm and bright. A lovely cocoon from leaving what our Canadian life has been over the last year, prepping for the next change.

Brunelleschi's  Dome, an engineering marvel still today not quite figured out. Brunneleschi got his idea from the open cement dome of the Pantheon in Rome. It took him 16 years to build. 

The Campanile, or 85-meter bell tower, which still rings every day on the half and hour, along with hundreds of others within the city. 

The pinnacle, or Lantern, a story in and of itself. 

Sparkles in the sun, or night-lit, visible from everywhere. 

The center of Florentine life, both secular and spiritual, for the last 800 years.

Interior is sparse, and the most massive space we've ever been in. Web-photos by others to do it justice. The mosaics! Brunelleschi is buried here, as well as lesser-known Florentines, mostly its Cardinals and Bishops.

44 Stained glass windows, most by Donatello

The interior of the dome, above the altar

And like in any holy place, the secular creeps in. This red pig stands guard above a bar, directly facing the exit of the Baptistry. We were in the square many, many times over 5 weeks. Piggy always standing guard. 

Almost as bright as the dome at night! 

Lovely homes encircle the square above the (very expensive) restaurants and shops.