We took a tour of the Florence Duomo today. It is spectacular from the outside.
Despite the beautiful facade, we found out that everything is a replication and all of the original work is housed in the Duomo museum. There were a few things inside the Duomo, but it was like an empty shell. It was originally used for town meetings as well as religious purposes. I think this fresco is of a wealthy resident of Florence.
There was also a painting of of Dante explaining the Devine Comedy. You can see Dante holding a copy of the Devine Comedy next to the entrance to hell (left). It also shows the seven terraces of Purgatory and the city of Florence on the right. Loved this.
The dome in the Duomo was totally in tact.
Here are a few items that were in the Duomo or outside on the facade that are now in the museum. The museum is actually the best place to see the original work and it wasn't that crowded.
This is a wood carving of Mary Magdalene by Donatello. Amazing!
There was another one of Michelangelo's Pietas in the museum. We saw another one at St. Peter's in the Vatican. They say that Michelangelo made the dude with the hood in his own likeness.
In the late afternoon we ate on the terrace of this restaurant that reminded us of cafes in Vienna. Great food! Apparently a famous Florence venue.
Another amazing day.
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