Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

This is my sixth time in Florence, a city I still long for. My first stop was, as always, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore! Standing in the square, I was once again left speechless by the sheer beauty of the architecture—how can there be such a beautiful building in the world!💗 ✨ Must-See Highlights ✨ 1️⃣ The Dome A miracle in the history of architecture! Brunelleschi's dome was constructed without any scaffolding, using only the herringbone masonry technique. The 463 steps to the top are narrow and steep (not recommended for those with acrophobia), but once you reach the summit, the red rooftops of Florence spread out beneath you, making you feel as if you're in a fairy tale. - Hidden Tip : Book the earliest 8:15 slot. The Vasari frescoes of "The Last Judgment" inside the dome are even more stunning in the morning light. 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️ - Secret Easter Egg : At the exit, there's a small window where you can see graffiti left by 15th-century workers, including one that says "I'm exhausted" (seriously!). 2️⃣ The Gates of Paradise The gilded bronze reliefs on the east door of the baptistery are a masterpiece that took Ghiberti 27 years to complete. Michelangelo himself was so impressed that he exclaimed, "These should be called the Gates of Paradise!" The originals are housed in the Cathedral Museum, but the 1:1 replicas at the entrance are equally awe-inspiring. - Detail Freaks : Look for Ghiberti's self-portrait in the bottom left corner of the "Sacrifice of Isaac" relief. It's only thumb-sized and serves as his signature Easter egg for future generations. 3️⃣ Giotto's Bell Tower A better photo spot than the dome! The four-sided open design allows for plenty of light, and after 4 p.m., the entire cathedral is bathed in amber hues by the setting sun. The 56 reliefs on the outer walls tell the story from the Creation to the Industrial Revolution, like a three-dimensional history book. - Exclusive Shot : From the second-floor platform, a small window directly faces the dome, making for a stunning silhouette shot against the backlight. Your social media feed will be flooded with questions! 4️⃣ Cathedral Museum This place houses countless textbook-level masterpieces: Michelangelo's late-period "Pietà," Donatello's "Mary Magdalene," and the most impressive top-floor exhibit—a 1:1 replica of the original cathedral façade, transporting you back to 1418! - Hidden Treasure : In the second-floor "Music Gallery," the choir reliefs feature angels with unique expressions. Look closely and you'll find one angel with a sly smile! 5️⃣ Interior of the Cathedral Don't be deceived by the opulent exterior! The interior is actually minimalist, but the floor features a giant astronomical clock that precisely channels sunlight through a copper ring at noon on the spring equinox. Looking up at the dome's frescoes, you'll see golden stars twinkling against a deep blue background, making you feel as if you're at the center of the universe. 🌟 Ultimate Guide 🌟 Check the comments section for more tips! #EuropeTravel #HiddenGems #AroundTheWorld #TravelWithPassion #Florence #Italy #CathedralOfSantaMariaDelFiore #EveryCityIsAmazing #TravelTips #TravelRecommendation