inSPIREd Sunday

These folks walked up 463 steps to reach the 
tippy-top of the Duomo, in Florence. 
 I've made that climb a few times (oof!)—
and it has always been worth it.

[To see more churches from
around the world, go here.] 

inSPIREd Sunday

A detail from the façade of the Cattedrale di
Santa Maria del Fiore (aka the Duomo),
in Florence.  The church was begun in 1296
and consecrated in 1436—it takes a
few years to create a masterpiece like this.

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]

inSPIREd Sunday

Set against a bright blue sky, the 
campanile of the Siena Cathedral, aka 
Santa Maria Assunta, aka the Duomo.

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]

inSPIREd Sunday

This is the cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore,
aka the Duomo, in Florence (I took this picture on
Easter Sunday several years ago).  Easter is celebrated
throughout the city, but here at the Duomo
the service is followed by the colorful—and very noisy—
Explosion of the Cart, a tradition whose roots
date back to the Crusades. (Here's a video.)
Happy Easter to all of you who are celebrating today.

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]

inSPIREd Sunday

This is the 13th-century Cathedral of Siena, aka
Duomo di Siena, aka church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Inside is a spectacular marble mosaic floor that's visible
only for six to ten weeks per year (try to get there in
September), then covered for its protection.

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]

so worth it

463 steps to the top of Bruneleschi's amazing dome, 

but I do it again and again for this view of the rooftops 

of Florence.  Besides, all that climbing means no 

guilt whatsoever over the copious quantities of pasta, 

wine, and gelato that will no doubt be consumed later! 

463 steps to the top

Heading for Florence. We'll drop the bags, head to

Trattoria ZaZa for some of those artichokes that

they marinate for about 3 months, then make the

climb up to the top of Brunelleschi's dome (so worth

the effort for the view from up there). 

I love how they placed this 

statue of him so he's always

looking up at his masterpiece.