Florence Cathedral

Florence's cathedral is one of those buildings that stops you in your tracks no matter how many times you see it. The facade is a riot of pink, white, and green marble that somehow manages to be both overwhelming and perfectly harmonious. It took nearly six centuries to complete — construction started in 1296 under Arnolfo di Cambio, and the current neo-Gothic facade wasn't finished until 1887. Inside, the scale hits you: it was the largest church in the world when completed, and still ranks among the largest. The interior is more austere than you might expect given the exterior's exuberance, but that makes the moments of brilliance stand out more — particularly Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari's massive Last Judgment fresco on the dome interior, visible from the nave floor. The cathedral also houses Paolo Uccello's famous clock face and Domenico di Michelino's painting of Dante with his Divine Comedy. What makes the Duomo special beyond the art is its role as the gravitational center of Florence. Everything in the city radiates outward from this piazza. Entry is free, which means the crowd flow is constant — arrive early or late in the day if you want a calmer experience.