HowardR

Check out the February issue of National Geographic for a most interesting article about the construction of this historic and magnificent structure. It brought back the cherished memory of my wife and I climbing the 473 steps (yes, I still remember that exact number!) to reach the top. It's still one one of our most cherished travel experiences.

PS: The February 12 Nova episode on PBS will will detail exactly how Brunelleschi built the dome.

PalenQ

Some say it symbolized the beginning of the Renaissance - thanks for posting.

bvlenci

There's an excellent book on this topic, "Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture", by Ross King. After reading it, both my husband and I wanted to climb the dome, although we're generally not much interested in climbing things. At the time, I was seeing a doctor in Florence, and at my next appointment, we went several hours early to climb the dome.

There's also an interesting exhibit about the building of the dome, including tools and workers' time and payment logs, in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. I believe this museum is going to be closed for restructuring and expansion, though, beginning sometime in the spring.

HowardR

A reminder that the Nova show about the construction of the Florence Duomo dome will be on PBS Wednesday night.

StCirq

I agree. Read Ross King's book. Brilliant.

HowardR

The Nova show was fascinating.

PS: I guess my memory is not as good as I thought. Checking my notes from that trip, I noticed that the actual number of steps leading to the top is 463, not 473. (Hey, that still doesn't diminish the feat of climbing to the top!)

blondearcher

I read the book also; and I am looking forward to climbing the dome on our up-coming trip to Italy!!!

IMDonehere

The book was extremely well written and entertaining. The PBS show took fifteen minutes of information and tortured us into one hour. If I saw Brunelleschi make one more chalk drawing, I was destroy the dome myself.

I did have one question. How come they needed American masons, aren't there skilled Italian masons or those from another EU country?

HowardR

Sorry, IMDonehere, but I didn't feel the least bit tortured watching the show. In fact, it created just the opposite reaction: It inspired/motivated me to buy the book!

john183

I'm with HowardR on this one. I thought the show was great and I really enjoyed the National Geographic article. I can't wait to climb the 463 steps to the top and I hope to see Ricci's model while we are in Florence this coming June. I'm about to start reading Ross King's book. I totally agree with you HowardR - fascinating stuff! Thanks for the heads up on this.

HowardR

john183, you are in for an unforgettable experience. Of the many memories from our three trips to Italy, the climb to the top of dome remains as one of the most memorable.

wanderful

For those who missed the February 12 showing of "The Great Cathedral Mystery" on the construction of Brunelleschi's miraculous creation:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient...l-mystery.html

IMDonehere

Brunelleschi is a personal hero of mine, not only for his creation but ignoring those who were against him, simply because they didn't understand his thought. We been there a couple of times and admired from the inside, but not the top.

HowardR

You absolutely must climb to the top for three reasons:
1. The closeup view of the wonderful artwork inside the dome.
2. The magnificent views of Florence once you get to the top.
3. And, of course, the pride in saying that you climbed all 463 steps!

IMDonehere

There is one compelling reason not to-I have acrophobia. I have missed spectacular views all over.

john183

We are really looking forward to the views both inside and out. Are we looking forward to the 463 steps?? Not so much. But we will be very proud to say we did it. Are there are a few places along the stairs we can get out of everyone's way and rest for a couple of minutes without stopping the whole parade?

We want to take it sort of slow and easy climbing the dome in Florence because we will be hiking the Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast a few days later and then climbing to the top of St Peter's in Rome a few days after that. My legs are tired just thinking about it - but I can't wait!

HowardR

I forget how many, but yes, there is at least one "rest area" on the way where you can "[i;; over" and let others pass. I vividly recall a pair of men ahead of us who moved out of the way to let us pass. (I also remember that they were smoking!)

john183

Thanks again HowardR.

bvlenci

The thing that interested my husband and me the most was being able to see the construction techniques described in the book. The view was great, too, although views from high up, with the exception of mountains, don't really get me excited.

It's too bad the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is closing this spring. You folks will just have to return to Florence when it reopens to see the exhibits about the building of the dome. It's a great museum, often overlooked by tourists to Florence. There is a Michelangelo sculpture, the Deposition from the Cross, and a Donatello sculpture of Mary Magdalene that is one of the most compelling works of art I've ever seen. There are many other works of art that used to be in the Duomo, and a history of the Duomo itself (not just the dome). I was surprised to learn that the beautiful multi-hued facade is quite recent.

In fact, a visit to this museum, in my opinion, is time better spent than going into the Duomo. Do go inside the Baptistery, though.

HowardR

We've barely given any mention to the wonderful mural (if that's the right word) that you get a closeup view of as you climb to the top of the dome. That's certainly one of the main incentives for doing the climb in the first place.