What would be a better time to celebrate all the cool things you can experience near and at our most famous Duomo museum in the lead-up to the grand opening of this revamped monument of Florence? There is also a lot of interesting places located nearby, among all that can be discovered in thePiazza del Duomo.
- THE NEW REVAMPED OPERA DEL DUOMO MUSEUM
The Cathedral Museum or the Opera del Duomo museum was sculpted when Michelangelo was nearly 80 years old. This is also where his famous ‘Pietá’ makes its home. Over 750 works of art, that properly, and an intuitive layout harmonizes the relationship between these important pieces and faith. These all combined are complete with a third-floor terrace.
- THE CUPOLA IS THE GREATEST ENGINEERING FEAT IN THE WORLD
Do people keep asking from time to time if the 463 step-climb to the terracotta-covered Cupola worth it? Oh yes, it is! While it may get a bit claustrophobic as you are making your way up there, you should also keep in mind that this structure was built in the 1200s. It is the great creation of Filippo Brunelleschi, the famous architect won the commission in 1418 and set out to build something extraordinary the world had never seen.
- VISIT THE DUOMO TERRACES INSTEAD OF THE GIOTTO’S TOWER
Even many of the locals didn’t know that you could visit even the terraces of the cathedral. And guys, this is way cooler than the Cupola! The vantage point here allows you to have a very close look at the cathedral’s architecture itself. It is ethereal at its best.
- UNVEILING OF THE BAPTISTERY
A great example of Romanesque architecture of Florence is our beloved Bapistery. Since February of last year, it has been quite some time now since it has been under renovations with the help of Ferragamo, Unicoop, and several other doners. They should all be honored for this. Over 70 years ago, the last renovations took place here.
- THE RESTORATION WORKSHOP OF WHERE MICHELANGELO SCULPTED HIS DAVID
The restoration workshop should be another stop on you enlightenment tour of the ‘Duomo appreciation’. It is located on via dello studio just nearby. Including Michelangelo working on the famous sculpture of ‘The David’, this place is where the greatest artists of the past worked, even though this building has moved its location a few times. In the mid 19th century, it finally settled on this street.
- JUST AROUND THE CORNER IS A CUTE APERITIVO PLACE
The Fiaschetteria Nuvoli is a somewhat special place. It is based on a tiny street that many walk past parallel to the Duomo. This is an old-fashioned ‘fiaschetteria’ that serves Tuscan specialties like crostini toscani and hearty rib-sticking ribollita, and wine by the glass.
- PAOLO PENKO BOTTEGA ORAFA – THE GOLDSMITH WORKSHOP
There is a unique Mosaic workshop named ‘commesso’, which featured amazing motifs of Florence just a few steps away from the Duomo itself. This is a family business of the Scarpelli’s running since 1972, and they have an in-house workshop too where you can gaze at how the artisans delicately carve out the mosaic and handle stones.
- ARTISANS ARE NOT JUST IN THE OLTRARNO
There are actually a few notable craftsmen who live near the Duomo, although you may heard many people consistently talking about the artisans found on the ‘other side’ of the river. I will mention one of these names now. Paolo Penko is a master goldsmith whose craft is considered legendary in these parts. His inspirations are first drawn from famous artworks, and is then turned into incredible pendants of various designs.
