Shared Brunelleschi Dome Audio Guided Tour in Florence

Enjoy our exclusive guided visit to the Dome of the Florence Cathedral. The history of this monument is ancient and very peculiar. It started in 1418 when a contest to design the Dome was announced, with a relevant prize of 200 gold florins and eternal fame for the winner. The leading architects of that age came to Florence and presented their ideas. Brunelleschi was the winner and Lorenzo Ghiberti was the co-superintendent. The project had been considered absurd by many engineers, and the realization was indeed hard and with many obstacles, but not impossible. On March 25, 1436, for the Feast of the Annunciation, Pope Eugenius IV and a group of cardinals and bishops consecrated the finished Cathedral. Since then the Dome is a symbol of the Florentine Renaissance. Get professional pre-recorded comments. Have your curiosity satisfied by asking the live guide about the works as well. Experience the perfect tour with this highly innovative museum-visiting format.

Giotto's Bell Tower is a stunning Gothic-style tower standing next to the Florence Cathedral (Duomo) in Piazza del Duomo. Designed by Giotto di Bondone in 1334, the 84-meter (276-foot) tower is adorned with intricate marble panels, sculptures, and reliefs by artists like Andrea Pisano and Luca della Robbia. The bell tower’s 414 steps lead to a breathtaking panoramic view of Florence, offering one of the best vantage points in the city. Part of the Cathedral complex, Giotto’s Campanile is a masterpiece of Florentine Gothic architecture, harmonizing elegance and structural brilliance.

The Opera del Duomo Museum in Florence houses an extraordinary collection of sculptures, artworks, and artifacts from the Florence Cathedral complex. Located behind the Duomo, the museum preserves original masterpieces that once adorned Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery. Highlights include Michelangelo’s Pietà, Donatello’s Magdalene, and the stunning original panels of Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise. The museum also features a spectacular reconstruction of the Duomo’s original façade and offers visitors a deeper understanding of the artistic and architectural achievements of the Florentine Renaissance.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, commonly known as the Florence Duomo, is one of the most iconic landmarks of the Renaissance. Located in Piazza del Duomo, it is renowned for its massive red-tiled dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, a groundbreaking architectural achievement of the 15th century. The cathedral’s Gothic façade, completed in the 19th century, is decorated with white, green, and pink marble. Inside, visitors can admire stunning frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari, intricate stained glass, and the breathtaking view from the top of the dome. Together with Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Battistero di San Giovanni, Santa Maria del Fiore forms the heart of Florence’s religious and artistic heritage.

The Crypt of Santa Reparata, located beneath Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is an important archaeological site that preserves the remains of the early Christian basilica of Santa Reparata, which stood before the construction of the Duomo. Dating back to the 4th–5th century, the crypt features ancient mosaics, frescoes, and tombs, including what is believed to be the burial site of Filippo Brunelleschi, the genius behind the Duomo’s dome. Visitors can explore this underground space to uncover layers of Florence’s religious and architectural history, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city's past.