Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore—better known as the Duomo—is the city’s most iconic and awe-inspiring church. Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or simply enchanted by Italy’s Renaissance magic, stepping inside the Duomo is like walking through centuries of Florentine greatness.
Here’s everything you need to know before entering this incredible monument.
How to Visit the Florence Duomo
First, the good news: entry into the Cathedral itself is free. That’s right—you can walk into one of the world’s most famous churches without a ticket. The catch? The line often stretches around the square, especially during peak seasons.
Entry is through the main facade, usually the right-hand door. Be prepared for a security check and remember: no large luggage, no pets, and respectful clothing is a must. This is still an active place of worship.
To help you make the most of your visit (or even if you can’t go inside), this guide walks you through the Duomo’s most fascinating highlights and hidden gems.
First Impressions: Grandeur Meets Simplicity
Once you step inside, you’ll likely be surprised. After the Duomo’s stunning polychrome marble exterior, the interior feels stark and minimalist—almost unexpectedly so.
But don’t mistake that for neglect or lack of funds. Florentines intentionally kept the interior plain, as a reflection of its religious meaning. Even the original floor was supposed to be made of simple terracotta before the Medici family ordered a more elegant marble design.
A Bit of History
Long before the Duomo, there stood a much older church on this site: Santa Reparata, built around the 6th century. By the 13th century, it was too small and in disrepair. So, the Florentines dreamt big—they wanted to build the largest church in the world.
They commissioned Arnolfo di Cambio, the star architect of his day, and construction began in 1296. It took nearly 140 years and many hands, but the Cathedral was finally completed in 1436 with the addition of Brunelleschi’s revolutionary Dome, a marvel of Renaissance engineering.
What to See Inside Florence Cathedral?
The Duomo, meant to represent the identity of all Florentines, became a place to celebrate civic pride. As a result, its walls became something like a theater for the city’s history.
Let’s meet the key players of this story:
The Artists’ Busts: Giotto, Brunelleschi, Arnolfo & Emilio de Fabris
Just inside on the right-hand wall, you’ll spot sculpted portraits of Brunelleschi, the dome’s architect, and Giotto, designer of the bell tower. On the opposite wall are Arnolfo di Cambio, the original architect, and Emilio de Fabris, who designed the façade in the 1800s—symbolically closing the circle.
Art in all forms is celebrated here, including music. Next to them, you’ll find a bust of Antonio Squarcialupi, the most talented organist of the 1400s, appointed to the cathedral thanks to Lorenzo the Magnificent himself.
The Strange Clock Above the Main Door
Turn around and look above the main entrance—you’ll see a bizarre clock painted by Paolo Uccello in 1442, surrounded by four prophets.
The clock face is divided into 24 sections (not 12), the numbers are Roman numerals arranged counterclockwise, and the time won’t match your wristwatch! Why? It uses the old “Italian Hour”, where the day started at sunset. So the 24th hour was our midnight.
Since sunset time changes throughout the year, the clock must be adjusted regularly—there’s still a person in charge of tweaking the hands every couple of weeks!
And why does it run counterclockwise? Because time was originally measured using sundials, and the sun’s shadow moves that way. So the hands mimic the movement of the sun’s shadow.
The Equestrian Monuments
On the left wall, two massive frescoes commemorate 2 famous war leaders both successful commanders for the Florentine Republic: John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto as the Florentines called him) and Niccolò da Tolentino. Florence wanted to honor them like Roman emperors—with equestrian statues—but opted for cheaper painted versions instead.
Paolo Uccello and Andrea del Castagno gave the illusion of bronze and marble through brushstrokes alone. Their color choices—green for Hawkwood, brilliant white for Tolentino—make them more symbolic than realistic.
It might feel strange to see military leaders inside a church, but remember: the Duomo represents both religious and civic pride in Florence.
The Portrait of Dante
Walking along the left nave, you’ll find Domenico di Michelino’s famous portrait of Dante Alighieri. Dressed in red and holding his Divine Comedy, he stands in front of an illustrated backdrop of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, just as he described them.
You’ll also spot a glimpse of 15th-century Florence—including the Duomo, still missing its full marble cladding at the time. The painting was created to mark 200 years since Dante’s birth and reminds us that this church was a hub of poetry, reading, and cultural life, not just prayer.
This painting, by Domenico di Michelino, was created in 1465 to mark Dante’s 200th birthday. Speaking of anniversaries: in 2021, we celebrated 700 years since Dante’s death—check out our special itinerary following in the poet’s footsteps!
The Stunning Stained Glass Windows
Look up and admire the radiant stained glass that fills the high windows—the most extensive collection of original medieval stained glass in Italy. Of the 55 total windows, 44 still contain their original 15th-century designs.
Florence’s master artists—Donatello, Ghiberti, Uccello, and Andrea del Castagno—created the drawings, which were brought to life in colored glass by expert artisans. These windows not only bathe the church in color, but also illustrate scenes from the lives of Mary and Jesus, teaching the Gospels through light.
The Dome’s Masterpiece: The Last Judgment
While the church’s interior is generally sober, everything changes once you look up into Brunelleschi’s Dome.
This is the heart of the Cathedral, both spiritually and artistically. Originally, the dome was supposed to be covered in mosaics, like the Baptistery. But by the 16th century, fresco was the trend—and Giorgio Vasari began painting The Last Judgment, a vast and powerful work later finished by Federico Zuccari.
The imagery is intense: angels, saints, demons, and the resurrected fill the ceiling in a spiraling vision of the afterlife. You might notice its similarities to Michelangelo’s Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel—he was the gold standard of artistic genius, after all.
Don’t miss The Archaeological Site of Santa Reparata inside Florence Cathedral
Before you leave, look for a staircase near the first pillar—it leads down into the archaeological site of Santa Reparata, the ancient church that once stood here.
Accessible with a combined ticket for Duomo monuments, the crypt reveals layers of Florence’s past, including mosaics, ancient burials, and architectural models to help you navigate the ruins.
The most famous tomb? Filippo Brunelleschi himself, honored with eternal rest inside the church he crowned with his genius.
Final Thoughts of what to see inside Florence Cathedral
We hope this article makes up for all the times we haven’t been able to take you inside the Duomo in person! This is just a small guide to what to see inside Florence Cathedral. If you’re curious and want to visit the Baptistery and Opera del Duomo Museum too, be sure to check out the Piazza del Duomo Tour page on our website!
And remember: every inch of the Duomo is a celebration of the city that dared to dream bigger.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a place of worship, so it’s important to pay close attention to the visiting hours, which may change throughout the year—especially during religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. Always check the official website for the most up-to-date schedule.
