Florence
The Duomo of Florence, or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of Italy’s largest churches, and the most prominent and highest structure in Florence. It is one of the structure in the cathedral complex, located in Piazza del Duomo, which includes the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile bell tower. The three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic centre of Florence. No visit to Florence would complete without paying a visit to the cathedral complex. In fact the large dome of the Duomo could virtually be seen from almost any part of Florence. I can see it every time I stepped out of the camping site we stayed on my Florence travel 2 years ago. It is the most prominent structure in the historic city of Florence.
Here are some of my travel photos taken in and around the cathedral complex.
The Giotto tower next to the Duomo is the highest point in the city from where travelers could oversee the Florence city skyline perfectly.
From the Piazza della Signoria, we walked through some pedestrian streets in Florence heading North and the Duomo was not far away.
Along the side road of the Duomo, many street painters were gathered there to showcase their beautiful paintings and portraiture painting service were offered.
This is the back of the cathedral. When I was there 2 years ago, it was scaffolded and hoarded up for maintenance and cleaning works. You can see how rundown the marble surface was if compared with the front facade.
This is the interior of the cathedral where visitors or devotees were lining up to get into.
Next to the Duomo is the Florence Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in the city, built between 1059 and 1128, as the venue for baptism. The Baptistry is renowned for its three sets of artistically important bronze doors with relief sculptures.
This is the most famous East door, The Gates of Paradise, displaying scenes of baptism by Christ.
Another set of doors at South of the building, with bronze carving displaying various religious scenes. I remembered I was able to touch the doors when I first visited Florence 15 year ago but it was gated now. You could still see some bronze colour revealed at parts where being touched most by visitors.
That was it. Amazing heritage site, and great destination for travel photography hobbyists, isn’t it?
Travel photography tips: You will need ultra wide angle lens such as the Nikkor 10-24mm, to capture the whole structure from such a near distance within the square, and to expect some distortion of building lines as seen above.
Click HERE to view all my travel photos in full resolution via my flickr album.
If you love Florence as much as I do, why don’t plan your next budget trip to Europe? Check out my planning guide for Europe budget travel for some tips. 
– Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel guide to Europe
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