Santa Maria del Fiore, Florences cathedral and better known as the Duomo, is famed above all for Brunelleschis red-tiled dome, an engineering marvel completed in 1436 that remains the largest brick dome ever built. The exterior is clad in green, pink, and white marble, giving the building its distinctive Tuscan Gothic look.
Entry to the cathedral nave is free, though queues of 30 to 60 minutes are common in peak season. Climbing the 463 steps to the top of the dome takes 30 to 45 minutes and rewards visitors with sweeping views over Florences terracotta rooftops; combination passes also cover the Baptistery, Giottos Bell Tower, and the Opera del Duomo Museum.
The cathedral is open Monday through Saturday, roughly 10:15 am to 4:45 pm, and closed Sundays for services; the dome keeps longer hours, opening as early as 8:15 am. Booking a dome-climb time slot in advance is strongly recommended, especially in summer.
