The Duomo


The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was finished in 1436. It's called the Duomo, after the enormous dome that was erected by Brunelleschi. Brunelleschi lost the competition to do the doors, but ended up better off in the long run. Not only is the church named for his work, it's an architectural mystery exactly how he managed to accomplish what he did. The Dome is impossible to photograph close up, but there's a picture of it taken from the Palazzo Vecchio. Depending on the light, it can be whitish, greenish or pinkish. I still haven't figured that one out.

Click for a larger version The Duomo's front entrance

Clogged with tourists. The area around the Duomo has a Woodstock-like atmosphere.

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The side of the cathedral.
Click for a larger version Looking up at the front
Click for a larger version Looking up, and sideways, at the front

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Small street

Leading away from the Duomo