The Duomo of Firenze
The Duomo in the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore was designed under the careful eye of Arnolfo Cambio at the close of the 13th Century and is, without question, one of Florence's most distinctive visitor attractions. Upon Cambio's death in 1302 progress on the cathedral ground to a halt. It wasn't until some thirty years after that the Italian master Giotto agreed to continue working on the Duomo, he only managed to complete the bell-tower before his death in 1337. It was another twenty-seven years when the old cathedral was taken down and a new one started. This some one-hundred years after the initial plans were drawn up.
Filippo Brunelleschi was commissioned to project manage the great dome (the Cupola) of the now infamous cathedral which was in fact formed by way of of two dome's, one can be seen in all its glory from the outside while another which can be seen from the interior of the cathedral. On the inside frescoes by Paolo Uccello decorate the cupola. It was not until 1436, some 136 years after the project was started that the cathedral was finally completed.
Giotto's Belfry Florence.
Giotto’s Campanile is an free-standing bell tower that can be found in the Piazza del Duomo of Florence. It is placed right next to the Tuscany's most loved cathedral and is one of the purest examples of Florentine Gothic Architecture from the noted master Giotto. It is 84.7 metres in height and is supported by four buttresses on each corner.
Giotto never saw his Bell Tower completed, he worked on the project from 1334 until his death in 1337, only seing the 1st floor finished. The stone used in the bell tower comes from Carrara (white), Prato (green) and Siena (red).
The best view: Piazzale Michelanglo
Piazzale Michelangelo provides THE VIEW for tourists coming to Florence. It has it all, the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio and the foothills of Fiesole as its backdrop. The main square is approximately 100 metres squared, with the main section used for scooters and buses that park up allowing tourists to take in this wonderful view. In the summer months the Square has a peppering of market stalls and traders that sell an mixture of purses and keepsakes.
If it's a clear day in Florence you have no reason no to go to Piazzale Michelangelo because there is nothing quite like it, and it will leave on you a long-lasting feeling. There's also a coffee bar in the Piazza from which you can take in the view while enjoying a Coffee Cappuccino or cocktail.
It goes without saying that wherever tourism is popular during the evening you need to be especially open-eyed against thieves. You'll also find a greater number of market stalls springing up as well as local creative people selling their wares. The evening view is one for romantics, perched out on the steps looking down over the town, but it's really on a clear sunny day or towards the hours of sunset that the Piazza shines.
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