When you visit Florence, of course you will see the Duomo, the cathedral. Although the magnificent marble facade and Brunelleschi's famous dome are far more remarkable than the cathedral's interior, a look inside is a must.
By the way, the word, duomo comes from the Latin word domus-- house, for house of God. All Italian cathedrals are called duomo, and the name has nothing to do with domes.
But Florence has other wonderful churches well worth a spot on your itinerary. Here are my top five:
Santa Croce--Huge Gothic church with frescoes by Giotto in the Bardi Chapel, the Pazzi Chapel designed by Brunelleschi, tombs of many famous Florentines including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, and Rossini, and it's own museum and extensive grounds.
Santa Maria Novella--Masaccio's masterpiece, Trinita', fresoces by Ghirlandaio, Ucello, and Filippino Lippi, and a large crucifix by Giotto.
Orsanmichele-- a grain storehouse turned church, with statues by Donatello and Verrocchio in niches on the exterior, a monumental tabernacle, and a lovely Madonna and Child by Bernardo Daddi.
San Miniato al Monte--Florence's only Romanesque church, perched high above the city near Piazzale Michelangelo. A dramatic and unusual interior trompe d'oeil effect of paint appearing to be marble inlay, fresco cycle by Spinelli Aretino.
Santa Maria del Carmine--famous for the brilliant fresco cycles by Masaccio and Masolino in the Brancacci Chapel.
I'll be writing more about each of these churches in the next week or so (except for Orsanmichele, which you can read about here).
There are many many more churches well worth seeing in Florence, but these are truly must-sees when your time is limited. We visit all of these with our clients on Time of Tour Life Tours, and we hope you see them someday, too.
