The Climb. 🧗
It is not just a view; it is an architectural lesson. There is no elevator. You must climb 463 steps in a narrow corridor between the inner and outer shells.
The Booking
You *must* book a specific time slot weeks in advance. If you show up without one, you will not get in. The "Brunelleschi Pass" covers all monuments.
The Frescoes
Halfway up, you walk along a balcony inside the cathedral. You are face-to-face with Vasari's terrifying fresco of *The Last Judgment*. The demons are disturbing.
Gates of Paradise. 🗝️
The octagonal building in front of the cathedral is older than the Duomo itself. Dante was baptized here.
The Doors
The East Doors by Ghiberti are solid bronze covered in gold. Michelangelo said they were "truly worthy to be the Gates of Paradise." (Note: The ones outside are copies; originals are in the museum).
The Ceiling
Inside, look up. The ceiling is a massive 13th-century gold mosaic. It depicts a terrifying Satan devouring sinners. It inspired Dante's *Inferno*.
The Shape
It is an octagon. In Christian symbolism, 8 represents the "eighth day"—resurrection and eternity, beyond the 7 days of creation.
Tricolore
Green, White, Pink
The Marble Skin. 🏛️
The facade looks ancient, but it was actually finished in 1887. The marble colors were chosen to represent the regions of Tuscany.
The Source:
• White: Carrara (pure)
• Green: Prato (serpentine)
• Pink: Maremma (red limestone)
This polychrome style is distinctly Florentine and sets it apart from the grey stone of Rome.
The Hidden Museum. 🗿
Most tourists miss this. The *Museo dell'Opera del Duomo* houses the original statues that were removed from the cathedral for protection.
Donatello's Magdalene
A shocking wooden statue of Mary Magdalene. She is emaciated, toothless, and covered in her own hair. It is raw, modern, and heartbreaking.
Michelangelo's Pietà
Not the one in Rome. This is the "Bandini Pietà." Michelangelo carved it for his own tomb when he was old. He got frustrated with the marble and tried to smash it with a hammer. You can see the cracks.