Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation, Malaysia

Monday, June 14, 2010

RT - The Duomo in Florence

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When in Florence, it will be hard to miss the Duomo which seems to dominate the skyline in every direction. It is incredibly huge and it is visible from the moment you leave the train station. With its imposing Gothic architecture and its amazing structures, I was awestruck by the glorious sight of the cathedral.


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The facade of the Duomo is covered with intricate carvings, exquisite statues and inlaid marbles.


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I love the fact that the enormous red brick dome can be seen in every nook and corner of the city. It's a great reference point if you get lost. Even though part of the building was still undergoing restoration when we visited, the sheer beauty of the cathedral was something to behold.

We didn't have to wait in line to get inside the cathedral, but the queue to climb up the stairs to the Dome was extremely long. We didn't go to the top as there are 463 stairs to climb and having had my fair share of climbing experience at the Vatican City, I thought I'll give this one a miss. It feels like climbing endless stairways when you see upward.


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The interior of the Duomo is a vast space with high arches and contains only a few works of art. In comparison to the extraordinary exterior, the interior is a real let down. I was told that most of the art has been transferred to the Duomo museum, leaving behind an empty impression. The good thing is there's no admission fee to enter the cathedral.

There are a few notable art pieces to see though and here are a few shots that I took.

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One of the many stained glass windows


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Dante and his Divine Comedy by Domenico di Michelino


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Vasari’s illustration of the Last Judgement under the dome


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Christ Crowning Mary As Queen



First Commenter

38 comments:

  1. Once again a lovely post from you supported with some fabulous pictures.Just can't have enough of your Europe visit accounts.Look forward to hearing from you soon again.

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  2. The architecture of each building is definitely something to shout about, totally awesome and magnificent! I am as always, impressed! :)

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  3. Enjoy ur Monday sweetie, raining here... which is much welcomed YAY! :)

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  4. Wow, this is trully a beautiful place. The architecture is magnificient. The artwork are true masterpieces of the time and how I love the colourful stained glass designs.

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  5. The intricacy of the dome is really unimaginable. :(

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  6. Wow...the queue to climb the steps? :p Must be mesmerizing right up there?

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  7. The artworks are amazing.

    This place is certainly worth a visit.

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  8. wow i love the illustration of the Last Judgement! :)

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  9. 463 stairs to climb! phew~I'll surely give this a miss :D

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  10. great crispness and details in ur photos!

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  11. Wonder stained glass windows!

    Happy Ruby Tuesday!

    LOLA:)

    PS Mine this time is HERE. Hope you can join me!

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  12. This is stunning, I been there, These pics bring back great memories

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  13. Wow! Nice sharp photos of the Duomo!

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  14. I would love to go there and snap lots of pictures!

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  15. Nice art pieces! But too bad not many of them! Still it's worth a visit!

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  16. Oh wow what a work of art are these, just magnificently beautiful and to think that they've been here for years!!


    Red is emergency

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  17. Downright amazing. The painting of Dante is surreal, wonderful.

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  18. The Duomo is stunning - old Europe at its finest style in Florence, the most advanced city in its day. The paintings and stained glass offer such bod rubies, divine and sacred at the same time...

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  19. The duomo is great and the pendant, the Baptisteria even more impressive with its doors.
    Florence is a place to enjoy for weeks over and over again.
    Great shots!

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  20. Wonderful - love seeing the architecture of Florence.

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  21. What a stupendous edifice, and how wonderful that you got to see it (and share it!)

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  22. Awesome shots!
    Amazing architecture and art.

    Thanks for your visit.

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  23. I look at the brick dome and all I can think is, "Man that thing must be HEAVY!" I hope it never falls!

    Tink *~*~*

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  24. Wow, incredible shots inside and out of Il Duomo! Stood in the presence of this building many years ago too. Happy Ruby Tuesday! :)

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  25. Wow, it is absolutely stunning and the architecture is like I've never seen anywhere. Just gorgeous shots.

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  26. Beautiful shots!! Better than postcards!

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  27. Florence is so beautiful. I would love to visit there someday.

    Happy RT!

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  28. WOW! those are amazing architecture! thanks for sharing :)

    u may view mine here

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  29. It was wonderful to go back to Florence a second time and see the Duomo again...magnificent architecture. Now, I've visited it a third, through your blog!


    At 65, I've done it! My poetry book - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy - is out on Amazon!
    ( Poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well )
    http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1

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  30. Awesome Gothic architecture oh love the stained glass windows.. great shots like them very much. tQ.

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  31. the details are amazing...you captured every single detail very well

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