View from il Duomo
 

Is it worth the climb and the time to see the view from the top of il Duomo in Florence?

Yes, most definitely! It didn't take as long as I would have thought to climb to the top, and the view was beautiful.

Absolutely, but don't forget that on your climb you'll get a better view of the interior dome paintings and frescoes as well, and there is some fascinatingly sick, demonic stuff painted up there! Take your time, and bring long a pair of travel binoculars if you can...

Sick demonic stuff? Yikes! I loved the paintings on the inside of the dome. Very Dantesque.

Well, OK Grasshopper, perhaps I'm embellishing a bit, and had I read up on the history of the Duomo I might've expected demons placing flaming tridents up women's, um, well, they were fascinating to look at. You're right, very Dante. Where's my Ovid?? :)

Another very strong endorsement for climbing the 463 steps (yes, 463!). The view is indeed magnificent, as are the aforementioned frescoes on the dome interior.
PS: There are spots to rest along the 463-step climb!

AH, You do know Michaelangelo's Last Judgement, right? It's the mural at the head of the Sistine Chapel and has always been more compelling to me than the cieling. Some of the stories behind the gruesome images are truly interesting. Who painted the inside of the dome in Florence?

Grasshopper - Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) and Federico Zuccari (1540-1609) are responsible for the Cupola's Last Judgment. Contemporaries of Michelangelo, but not equals, I guess, and I hope to see the Sistine Chapel one day to compare for myself... Do you have a thing for Hieronymus Bosch, too? :)
dcappolino, do go, and have a wonderful time in Florence!

Aha, that great team Vasari and Zuccari! I'll definitely do a little research. And I'm going to look into their buddy, Hieronymus. Thanks!

Really, only you can say if it's "worth" it, because we don't know your fitness level. If you're in average or better shape for a 40-year-old, I say it's well worth it. If you are an average 60-year-old or obese 35-year-old, I say it's not worth the risk of having a grabber.

I did it when I was 30, and I was huffing and puffing pretty severely.

Make sure you get someone to take the picture <b>of you</b> at the top, with Florence in the background.

If climbing to the top of Il Duomo is too much for you consider getting a bus to Fiesole on the hill beside Florence.There is a magnificent view of the old city as you climb and you can enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants in Fiesole itself.

When we were wandering around piazza we saw two different rescue crews, hauling stretchers, rush up the stairs leading to the top of the Duomo. That cinched it for me--we went to Fiesole to enjoy the view instead!