The Duomo, symbol of Florence

Santa Maria del Fiore may not ring a bell. But it's the name of Florence's Duomo, the city's landmark, named "Santa Maria del Fiore" after its coat of arms, the fleur-de-lys.

The Duomo is a perfect example of the architectural prowess and artistic finesse of the Italian Renaissance. Begun in 1296, the oldest parts of the building date back to the 13th century, but its layout evolved over the 140 years it took to build it.

The monument was not completed until 1436. Filippo Brunelleschi succeeded in creating his masterpiece: the cathedral's dome, the largest ever built, with a staggering 45 metres in diameter! Inside, a gigantic 3600m² fresco adorns the dome, the work of Giorgio Vasari and Federigo Zuccaro.

Visiting the cathedral and climbing Brunelleschi's dome are two of Florence's highlights.

The fine marble used to build the Duomo echoes the two other major monuments that stand alongside it in the Piazza del Duomo.

Giotto's Campanile offers a breathtaking view of Florence from its summit, almost 85 metres high! But don't be afraid of the 416 steps and don't be claustrophobic on this narrow spiral staircase that seems to go on forever. A real ordeal on busy summer days!

A few steps from the square is another masterpiece: the octagonal Baptistry of Saint John the Baptist, magnificently decorated with Byzantine-style mosaics, boasts sumptuous facades. Older (12th century), it inspired the architecture of the Duomo. Everyone wants to have their photo taken in front of the Gates of Paradise...

The Piazza del Duomo is rarely a lonely place. Right in the heart of Florence, this is where all the city's visitors converge. So the square is always bustling with activity... So visiting the monuments isn't the only thing to do here!

Around the square you'll find cafés and terraces where you can take a breather between two visits, and watch the colourful crowd of visitors amazed by Florentine architectural prowess. Photo enthusiasts will have a field day.

The pleasure of discovering the Piazza del Duomo is never better than early in the morning, when the first rays of sunlight are reflected on the green marble, or late at night, with these monuments remarkably illuminated and the square depopulated.

For a front row seat, choose your hotel around the Piazza del Duomo: with a view of the cathedral, the effect is guaranteed!