Before you visit it, you've probably seen it a thousand times. The famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Florence Cathedral or simply "il Duomo" (for its iconic dome), is a stunning masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture. This cathedral serves as the episcopal seat of the Archdiocese of Florence and is one of the largest buildings in all of Christendom. Its name references the lily, a symbol of Florence, also from the city's ancient name, Fiorenza.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is renowned for its impressive facade made of white, green, and pink marble, adorned with intricate details and sculptures that depict biblical and religious stories. Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, the construction of the dome was a technical challenge for its time, and the church took 140 years to complete. If you have the energy and inclination to climb the 463 steps to the top, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.

As you ascend, you'll get a close-up look at the frescoes of the Last Judgment adorning the interior of the dome, a masterpiece by the painter Giorgio Vasari. This remarkable structure has an interior height of 100 meters and an outer diameter of 45 meters. In total, there are over 4 million bricks arranged internally using the "fishbone" brick technique to make the dome self-supporting.

The dome was an architectural wonder of its time and remains admirable to this day. With the floor plan expanded by Francesco Talenti, the new church was built on the site of another smaller one, Santa Reparata, and a series of competitions were held to construct each part of the complex over the centuries (the baptistery, the campanile, the dome, and so on). Brunelleschi himself won the competition for the Duomo with an egg as an example of the shape he would use (also taking inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome).

The interior of the cathedral may be less flamboyant than other grand churches due to its Renaissance design simplicity, but you'll still admire its spaciousness, huge columns, and stunning stained glass windows that bathe the space in light and vibrant colors. The high altar is a masterpiece of sculpture and painting, with marble reliefs and frescoes depicting Christian scenes. You can also appreciate paintings and sculptures by renowned Renaissance artists like Donatello and Michelangelo, as well as the geometric patterns of the flooring, which are exquisite.

In addition to its impressive architecture and artwork, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore also has a rich history. From Florence's growth in the Late Middle Ages to its international prominence in the Renaissance, the life story of the building goes hand in hand with the power of Florentine merchants.

Even if you don't visit the interior or climb the dome, it's a must-see during your explorations of Florence, as it's at the center of the historic district, and all the main streets lead to the square where it awaits you. We recommend taking photos from various angles at a good distance; it's so enormous that it can hardly fit into a single frame!