Florence Cathedral, Tower & Baptistry
This is the front of Florence's Cathedral, aka "Il Duomo di Firenze" aka the "Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore".
Next to it is the free-standing "campanile" (bell tower), designed by Giotto that is part of the complex of Cathedral buildings.
I climbed that tower! 414 steps!
It wasn't hard physically, as such, but it was scary. The stairwell was so small and had to accommodate traffic both up and down. As such, meeting someone and passing by them was fraught with anxiety. At least for me - I didn't want to fall and be handicapped for the rest of my tour!
With some rest stops on the landings along the way, I made it to the top.
At the top there is a ledge protected by a screen. However, the floor of the ledge sloped down a wee bit which completely unsettled me. No, to be strictly honest it freaked me out. In fact, it would be fair to say it freaked me out big time. I simply couldn't handle it. All those steps for only about two minutes and a couple of pictures!
Oh well. Still glad I did it.
Next to it is the free-standing "campanile" (bell tower), designed by Giotto that is part of the complex of Cathedral buildings.
I climbed that tower! 414 steps!
It wasn't hard physically, as such, but it was scary. The stairwell was so small and had to accommodate traffic both up and down. As such, meeting someone and passing by them was fraught with anxiety. At least for me - I didn't want to fall and be handicapped for the rest of my tour!
With some rest stops on the landings along the way, I made it to the top.
At the top there is a ledge protected by a screen. However, the floor of the ledge sloped down a wee bit which completely unsettled me. No, to be strictly honest it freaked me out. In fact, it would be fair to say it freaked me out big time. I simply couldn't handle it. All those steps for only about two minutes and a couple of pictures!
Oh well. Still glad I did it.
The Baptistry
Following are some images of the Cathedral Baptistry, however not its outside. It was under restoration and covered in scaffolding. The floor, the ceiling... awe inspiring. I could have gazed forever.
In addition to visiting the the Baptistry itself, I also went to the "Museo dell'Opera del Duomo which contains the original gilded bronze door - The "Gates of Paradise", created by Ghirbert and nicknamed by Michelangelo himself. They are exquisite.
I laugh. Ghiberti was widely recognized as the top artist in his field. On the first doors he created for the Baptistry he included a self portrait of himself. Evidently he was bald but was self conscious about it so he portrayed himself wearing a turban. However, by the time the "Gates of Paradise" were completed he was so very famous that he no longer cared anymore. He put himself (and his son) in the doors but now Ghiberti is bald - and presumably proud of it!
In addition to visiting the the Baptistry itself, I also went to the "Museo dell'Opera del Duomo which contains the original gilded bronze door - The "Gates of Paradise", created by Ghirbert and nicknamed by Michelangelo himself. They are exquisite.
I laugh. Ghiberti was widely recognized as the top artist in his field. On the first doors he created for the Baptistry he included a self portrait of himself. Evidently he was bald but was self conscious about it so he portrayed himself wearing a turban. However, by the time the "Gates of Paradise" were completed he was so very famous that he no longer cared anymore. He put himself (and his son) in the doors but now Ghiberti is bald - and presumably proud of it!