A G: Italy Day 7 - Florence Day 1 Part 1 by Gordon, Brunelleschi's dome, Duomo Florence, Giotto's Bell Tower, Gate of Paradise & Baptistery of Saint John

Brunelleschi's dome, Duomo Florence, Giotto's Bell Tower, Gate of Paradise & Baptistery of Saint John

~ Gordon

My first morning in Florence involves a lot of exercising. We first climbed Brunelleschi’s Dome of Duomo Florence. The dome had a wonderful fresco of the Last Judgement. Then, we went to the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower. The Baptistery of St John has a beautiful dome decorated with gold mosaic. Its eastern gate, The Gate of Paradise, is always crowded with tourists.

Our booking time to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome was at 8:30 am. When we arrived at the dome at 8:20 am, the waiting line was already long. This Florence famous landmark was built by Brunelleschi in 1437. The duomo climbing was tiring. The stairs are narrower than St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. I guess because it is older design. There are 463 steps to the top! That’s 13 stories. It’s very high if you ask me. On the halfway climbing, we stopped at the gallery of the dome. It was amazing to see the fresco painting of the Last Judgement on the dome. It was painted on the dome by Giorgio Vasari in 1572. The painting separates in three layers, the heaven, the land, and hell. Hell has things to humiliate people with the reason they went down and not up. In heaven, it is nice with all the saints, virgins, and Jesus. The painting’s color is well preserved, so bright and fresh. Stepping out from the top of the dome, we had a great view to the city and also Giotto’s Bell Tower, as it is the highest building in Florence.

The Giotto’s Bell Tower is very nice to climb as well.The bell tower was built in 1359 by Giotto. It is famous for the wonderful 360° view from up top. It towers at 12 stories high! That’s one story lower than the duomo! The bell tower has a bell that they don’t use anymore. It is very fascinating once you see it. The view from the top is good too. Different view of the city and of course, the dome of Duomo Florence!

The Baptistery in front of duomo was not big. Don’t forget to visit here. Its golden mosaics on the dome is unbelievable. So beautiful! It is all made of gold leaf. It has pictures of Jesus, and the cross, and a lot of other things like Mary. There is a model of the Gate of Paradise.

The first morning at Florence was very sweaty with a lot of history. It was great to see a lot of view from those 2 tall buildings of Florence. The dome was just as wonderful, with beautiful painting of the Last Judgement. Giotto’s Bell Tower is very high. The Baptistery looks beautiful for its gold mosaic on the dome and the famous eastern gate, Gate of Paradise. I want to go there again!