Since we didn’t have class due to a local holiday our group decided to climb the Duomo. In order to beat the rest of the tourists we woke up early and arrived at the entrance used to climb the Duomo. We were the first people to arrive. As a result we were also first to tackle the climb. The staircases were narrow and interesting. The climb up to the point where we were above the stained glass windows was alternating square and spiral staircases. Once through the first set it is possible to see the stained glass and ceiling frescoe from a closer viewpoint. The climb to the top of the cupola (dome) was challenging since the stairs were short and followed the curve of the dome. Once on top of the cupola it is possible to see almost all of Florence. The view is amazing and was even better with less people up top.
One of the staircases leading to the top.
One of the stained glass windows of the Duomo.
A closer view of the dome’s ceiling frescoe.
Closer view of a segment of the frescoe.
View from the Cupola.
Instead of doing the walking tour a few of us decided to visit the cathedral instead. When we went to get in we found out that it opened in ten minutes. While waiting we saw Italian boy scouts. They had cooler uniforms than in America. Having been almost at the front of the line to get into the cathedral I was able to get some nice shots without a lot of people in the picture. We then went down below into the crypts. The crypts were awesome. It was possible to see the remains of mosaics. There were also several graves and bones of saints. They also had maps that showed the remains of the previous buildings that the Duomo was built on top of. You could look at the different previous structures and compare them as well as tell where material was borrowed from.
The clock inside the cathedral
Main area of the cathedral.
One of the tombs
Part of the excavated wall.
Map of the various sections of the Duomo.
One of the original floor mosaics.
After the cathedral we were really hungry and stopped at Panini Toscani identifiable by its green signs. The restaurant is owned and run by a husband-wife team. They buy local ingredients that are fresh and of a high quality. On your first visit they give you samples of the meats and cheeses. The food is really great and was quickly eaten. We then went to the Duomo museum. The museum is very large and nice to wander around in. Everything has its own space and the exhibits are very interesting. They have replicas of all of the statues that are on the facade. They also have screens that display the stained glass windows and ceiling frescoes up close. They also have sketches of the changing facade and the submitted designs for the cupola as well as relics on display.
Painting of one of the first facades.
An old Latin music book.
The original golden doors.
That night we hiked up to the Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale Michelangelo. Abbazia di san Miniato al Monte is a church that has very beautiful views of the entirety of Florence. From the church we saw some of the sunset. Unfortunately it was cloudy and not the clearest pictures of a sunset. We then walked to the Piazzale Michelanelo where we were able to see the Arno at night. On the way back we also stopped for gelato and found a gluten free shop for Kristen.
The Neptune statue at night.
