Florence's Duomo... the 463 steps are worth it! - August 14, 2010

Saturday August 14, 2010

Senne's Summary: Went to the Duomo and climbed 463 steps to see an incredible view of Florence.

Today we slept in again. I could get used to this :) (Let’s face it, I’m already used to this!)

The breath-taking cathedral and duomo!

The "sight of the day" for us was the Duomo. Every day we’ve walked by, the line has been infinitely long. Today it was long… but not infinitely long and it moved pretty fast. (It was pouring rain today, so perhaps people didn’t want to wait outside in line in the rain).

Upon entering the Duomo you start your trek up the 463 stairs. You only go about 200 steps for the first bit where you enter the inside of the dome and can see the amazing paintings that cover the dome.

Inside the duomo

I am not really sure how they painted it; the dome is very big and very high! (More things to look up when we get Internet again!)

Then you continue up the stairs (which at times are steep and just a little claustrophobic) to the top of the Duomo where you get to go outside and see a beautiful view of Florence.

It was absolutely pouring rain, but still very picturesque. Steve even managed to convince me to come to the edge for a picture (you may notice I look a little uncomfortable in the photo. It's only because I'm terrified!)

After enjoying the view (and getting thoroughly soaked) we headed back down the 463 steep and slightly claustrophobic stairs. You stop part way down again and get to see the dome from the inside again. 

Skinny stairs coming back down!

After the Duomo we headed out for some lunch (well if it counts as lunch at 4:00 in the afternoon!), went to the train station to pick up some tickets for next week, and Steve stopped in a grocery store to get a few things for tonight.

These beautiful old buildings have great places to hide from the rain.
This is someone's window!

While he was in the store a nice old man tried to have a conversation with me in Italian. I have to give him points for persistence… the conversation was at least 5 minutes long even though neither of us had any idea what the other person was saying (I tried to explain to him that my only Italian words were Bonjourno, grazie and ciao… but that didn’t dissuade him from trying)… at last Steve came out and rescued me 😀

We both liked Florence, but don’t really feel the urge to come back. Tomorrow it’s off to Siena!