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Discover Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo with our audio guide

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and a favourite destination for tourists from all over the world. The capital of Tuscany is known for its art, architecture and history. One of the most important sights in Florence is the Florentine Cathedral, also known as the Duomo di Firenze or Santa Maria del Fiore, which is located directly on the Piazza del Duomo. Our audio guide gives you an expert tour of the cathedral and Piazza del Duomo – it’s easy with your Florence City Pass.

Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral: be impressed and find out more with the audio guide

The Florentine Cathedral – one of the largest churches in the world

The Florentine Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most impressive buildings in the city of Florence and an absolute magnet for visitors. The imposing Gothic façade and the red dome of the cathedral are visible from afar and attract visitors from all over the world. Florence Cathedral is 153 metres long, 90 metres wide at the transept and 90 metres high from the floor to the base of the dome lantern, making it one of the largest churches in the world, just behind St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, St Paul’s Cathedral in London and Milan Cathedral.

Santa Maria del Fiore was built in the 13th century and has been extended and remodelled several times over the centuries. The interior of the church is particularly impressive with its ornate frescoes and mosaics as well as the famous ceiling painting of the Last Judgement.

With our audio guide, you have the opportunity to discover the details of the interior at your leisure and learn more about the history of this impressive building.

Brunelleschi’s dome

The tower of the church was already standing – but it had no roof! The largest dome in the world was to be built on this site, but unfortunately nobody knew how it could be realised. But the goldsmith Filippo Brunelleschi had a vision... and he created a unique architectural landmark of unrivalled beauty, grandeur and elegance. In its day, it was nothing less than a technical marvel. The dome is an absolute masterpiece of art that has enchanted the world since its creation: the symbol of Florence, of Renaissance culture and of Western humanism as a whole.

Baptistery and campanile (bell tower)

The Baptistery of San Giovanni, located in front of the cathedral, is the old religious and civil centre of Florence and a masterpiece of Italian Romanesque architecture. No one knows when the octagonal building that is now the baptistery was first built. The first mention of a church on this site dates back to 897. The current building is from the 11th century at the earliest, and since 1128 the baptistery has also housed the baptismal font that gives it its name. The Campanile di San Giovanni is also known as the "Campanile di Giotto". This freestanding bell tower is 85 metres high – and therefore significantly lower than the cathedral itself. However, once you have climbed to the top, you have a wonderful view, not least of Brunelleschi’s fantastic dome.

The Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo

The museum is a spectacular complex that presents masterpieces of the Renaissance that are unique in the world. It houses the original works that have adorned the Duomo complex in Florence over the last seven centuries, by Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti and many others.

Piazza del Duomo – the centre of Florence

Piazza del Duomo in the heart of Florence is the most visited square in the city, surrounded by some of the city’s most famous sights. From here, the view falls directly onto the cathedral with its impressive dome and bell tower. You can also admire the Campanile, a bell tower with a breathtaking view of the city, and the Baptistery, the oldest building in the piazza with its famous bronze door. Our audio guide gives you the opportunity to discover this fascinating piazza with all its sights and historic buildings.

You simply see more with an audio guide

Your audio guide is already included in the Florence City Pass, so you don’t need to book in advance. The audio guide gives you a much deeper insight into all the buildings around the Piazza del Duomo – and there really is a lot to discover here. 

Available languages of the audioguide

German / English / Italian / Spanish / French / Chinese / Japanese / Korean / Russian 

 

Highlights

  • Brunelleschi’s dome – a unique masterpiece 
  • The white, red and green marble façade of the cathedral is a neo-Gothic masterpiece and world-famous 
  • The bell tower is decorated with geometric motifs and stylised flowers as well as precious sculptures from the 14th and 15th centuries 
  • The "Opera del Duomo" museum displays countless Renaissance masterpieces in 28 rooms over three floors 
  • Remains of the Basilica of Santa Reparata, the church that stood on this site for over eight centuries and was built over with the cathedral 

 

Opening hours

Please note that the audio guide does not give you privileged access to the cathedral. 

Access to the cathedral is free of charge from Monday to Saturday from 10:15 to 16:45, with last access at 16:30. 

The pick-up station for the audio guide is open from 10:00 to 15:00. Up to and including March, you can use the audioguide on Saturdays and Mondays, from April onwards it is possible to use it from Monday to Saturday.

 

Reservation

Before entering Santa Maria del Fiore, please go to the D’UVA audioguide desk at the ticket office in Piazza Duomo 14/A in Florence and show your Florence City Pass QR code. It is not necessary to book in advance.

 

Important information

  • Admission to the cathedral is allowed only to people wearing clothing suitable for a place of worship. Visitors with bare legs and shoulders or wearing sandals, hats and sunglasses are not allowed inside the cathedral. 
  • Bulky backpacks and bags are not allowed. 
  • The entrance for people with motor disabilities or impaired mobility is located on the right side of the Cathedral. 

 

 

How to get there

From Santa Maria Novella Central Station (SMN), you can take tram line T1 and get off at the "Unità" stop. From there it is only a few minutes’ walk to Piazza del Duomo. 

If you are already in Florence, you can also take the bus lines C1, C2, or D, which all stop near Piazza del Duomo. 

Book your Florence City Pass now and discover Florence in a whole new way with our audio guide for the cathedral and Piazza del Duomo. Experience the history and culture of this fascinating city up close and let yourself be enchanted by its charm. 

 

Pick-up point

D’UVA, Piazza Duomo 14/A, Florence

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Use the audio guide during your visit to Santa Maria del Fiore – included in your >> Florence City Pass!

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Florence City Pass

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