Very cool church. There are so many cool churches throughout the country it gets to be…read moreoverwhelming. This one s a little creepy with the relics inside.

The building itself isn't so big compared to others but the courtyard around it is hugeeee! There…read moreare many souvenir vendors by it. People sit by the stairs in front of the entrance to relax. There seems to be a police or government building on the right side and a small downhill slope that leads into the narrow streets of Siena in the left side.

The Duomo di Siena is one of the most visually appealing cathedrals in Italy...a place where art…read moreand devotion converge in extraordinary harmony. Towering over Piazza del Duomo in Siena's historic center, the cathedral immediately commands attention with its distinctive dramatic blackandwhite striped marble façade, a color scheme that reflects the ancient symbols of the city itself. While we have seen many beautiful Italian cathedrals, this one is one of the most unique ones. Stepping inside the cathedral is awe-inspiring and completely breathtaking. Unlike many cathedrals whose beauty lies primarily on the exterior, Siena's Duomo interior is splendid and grand. The interior is lavishly decorated with striped marble columns, gilded details, sculptures, and frescoes that make the space feel more like a grand art gallery than a traditional church. While indelible photographs are forever etched in our minds, our tour guide discouraged us from taking photos inside the cathedral. One of the cathedral's greatest highlights is its marble inlaid floor, created over several centuries by dozens of artists. Often described as one of the most beautiful cathedral floors in the world, it features intricate biblical scenes and moral lessons created in marble mosaic. When you view such beauty, it feels bigger than yourself. Majestic!

We were lucky enough to see the cathedral in October when the floors were uncovered and it was…read moretruly a sight to see. Absolutely worth the visit and make sure to go to the top of the bell tower during your visit for a spectacular view and a great photo opportunity.

We were on a tour and drove to San Gimignano, an Italian hill town in Tuscany, southwest of…read moreFlorence. Encircled by 13th-century walls, its old town centers on Piazza della Cisterna, a triangular square lined with medieval houses. It has a skyline of medieval towers, including the stone Torre Grossa. The Duomo di San Gimignano is a 12th-century church with frescoes by Ghirlandaio in its Santa Fina Chapel so it was well worth taking a few moments to visit this gorgeous church. This inside is surrounded with statues of Saints and altars with furnishings of gold and silver. It is an absolute must if you intend to visit.

Great church at Medieval town. This church is part of the museum. This church is a gem in Tuscany…read moreItaly. The church good charm due to the great painting in the church. It was painted in the 13th century. The church also call the Collegiate Church. The church originally build in 10th century. At 13 century it was rebuilt and expand to current big building. The wall painting is the best of the church to tell the story of Christ. The wall painting includes the crucifixion, last supper, Good Friday and more. They are detail painted. Some of the wall paints faded due to long history on the wall. This church has pipe organ and side chapel. The columns and ceilings are well decorated. It is a small church that good for this medieval town. It is renaissance style church with a lot of Arch.

If possible, this duomo is even more amazing than the duomo in Florence. The frescoes and statues…read moredefinitely rival the well-known ones in the Renaissance city, and the artwork equals, if not exceeds, its rival. The bonus here is that the crowds are smaller and Siena is so charming, and the locals are so friendly. The cathedral and museums are definitely worth the trip to this lovely city.

One thing you start learning when you go to Italy, there are a lot of amazing Cathedrals, this is…read moreno exception! The highlight of this cathedral for me was being able to go all the way up and have a view of the entire city! It was beautiful. You can see the city square from here, which is also huge. It can get pretty packed after 12pm, so I recommend trying to come around 10:30am right when it opens!

Since we were in the area, we made a quick stop to see the San Domenico Basilica. High on a hill,…read moreviews of Siena make for some nice pics. It was getting late in the afternoon by the time we reached it, as the sun hid behind the massive brick exterior and created refreshing, cool shadows. The exterior is somewhat plain, but makes up in size what it lacks in ornamentation. More of the same inside (the Dominicans aren't known for a love of bling), but pilgrims might appreciate the relics of St. Catherine. I'm not really into spare body parts, but others can find Catherine's thumb and - behind secure bars - her head! (Eew) The church has a no photos/videos policy, so no photographic memories of the interior.

my #1 favorite spot in siena for basilica-loitering. monumental & blessedly quiet compared to the…read moremadhouse that is il duomo in the center of town. un'opportunita' per tranquillita' da non perdere! dedicated to the patron saint of siena, santa caterina, the structure of the basilica is simple, with gothic windows & a bell tower that actually still tolls. it houses some amazing art along with relics of the saint, including her dried up finger (blech!), personal self-flagellation paraphernalia (cool!) & her head, mounted & displayed in a cappella (creepy!). once you've finished your divine encounter inside, seat yourself on the steps outside & escape the crazy tuscan heat in the shadow of the basilica. the crypt opens for sunday mass. bring the whole family! & for caterina's sake, please, cover them shoulders!

A beautiful church that one must not miss if one is touring Lucca. Lot of painting from the 1400…read moreand 1500. The interior architecture is heavenly. The cost is $3 for adult with no strict dress code. $0.50 to light an electric candle.

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. Also known as Florence Duomo, is the defining landmark of…read moreFlorence and one of the most impressive cathedrals in the world. Dominating the city skyline, it is instantly recognizable for Brunelleschi's magnificent dome, a masterpiece of Renaissance engineering and artistic vision. The exterior is eyecatching , with its intricate façade of white, green, and pink marble that feels both elegant and monumental. Standing in Piazza del Duomo, the scale of the cathedral is awe‑inspiring, especially when viewed alongside Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery. Inside, the cathedral is huge and relatively restrained compared to its ornate exterior. This simplicity emphasizes the immense size of the space. Climbing the dome was a highlight for sure although it nearly took out the hubs. Smile. Folks back in the day must have been tiny because there steps are so small and curvy. When you reach the top, you think you can walk out on the ledge for the spectacular panoramic views. No!!! You have to climb a ladder to get to the perimeter. Similar exhale to that of crossing the finish line at a marathon. The panoramic views are spectacular!

Saluti da Firenze!…read more Bathed in architectural beauty, artist charm, and centuries of history, my partner, our friends, family members, and I arrived in this Italian city of culture last Monday afternoon. Located in the heart of the stunning Tuscany region, the city is surrounded by natural and manmade beauty at every turn. Home to globally renowned landmarks such as the Florence Cathedral and Michelangelo's David, Florence offers a journey of discovery and enlightenment. Situated at the Piazza del Duomo, which is the busiest square in the city, Florence Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, dominates the skyline, and gives it real character and grace with its famous Brunelleschi's red dome. The construction of the building started at the end of the thirteenth century because the Florentines wanted to excel not only in commercial terms but also in architectural terms. It was not completed until the 15th century and is the fourth largest cathedral in Europe. We visited the area on our 2 days during the day and evening. It is highly recommended to visit the square in the evening, when the day trippers have gone home. Admission to the cathedral was free, and the huge line moved quickly. The marble façade in green, pink, and white was absolutely stunning. The rest of the interior may seem simple at first until one stands beneath the dome and gasps at the masterpiece above. No words can describe its presence and the sheer scale; it's a must-visit!