Historical Religious Sites

The Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) is Florence’s defining piece of architecture. History says that Florence, being the financial success it was, wanted to surpass its Tuscan rivals Pisa and Siena with a larger and more magnificent church. As a result, the Duomo was the largest cathedral in Europe at completion in 1436, and today Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London and the Milan Cathedral are the only ones larger. Brunelleschi designed the famous dome, which you can climb for an amazing view. Next door to the Duomo is Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile), which can also be scaled for a view of Florence that will take your breath away.

 

The Baptistery (Battistero San Giovanni) is believed to be Florence’s oldest building. It stands to the west of the Duomo on Piazza Sann Giovanni. The basilica is octagonal in shape and most famous for its bronze doors designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti, which represent scenes from the New Testament.

 

The Basilica di San Lorenzo is where the Medici family attended church in the heyday of the Renaissance. It is a 15^th century church, also designed by Brunelleschi. It is located on Piazza San Lorenzo.

 

Two of Florence’s other distinguished churches are the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. In a city with such a plethora of beauty, and visitors with limited itineraries, these churches can be passed over, but they are certainly worth taking the time to visit.