Florence - The Duomo and Baptistry

The Duomo, officially called Santa Maria del Fiore, is the main cathedral in Florence. It was built on the remains of Santa Reparata, a 9th century church. The construction started in the late 1200's. The construction continued until the early 1400's when the dome as finally finished.



In the same square is the Baptistry. The Baptistery is renowned for Ghiberti's 15th century bronze doors with relief sculptures - considered so beautiful that Michelangelo christened them the "Gates of Paradise" - and his creation is often cited as the dawn of the Renaissance. The children of Florence would be baptized there in one big ceremony once a year.



The interior is decorated with a shimmering gold mosaic and features the tomb of the pirate pope, Baldassare Cossa, made by Donatello and paid for by the Medici family