We arrive in Firenze by train at 9am, surprised by a chilly autumn air we’ve yet to feel in Rome. Our first stop after dropping our luggage at the hotel is the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, completed in 1436 topped with its famous Brunelleschi’s dome. This cathedral is the most beautiful I have seen so far in Italy… and as art and architecture students we see A LOT of them. Fulfilling my princess fantasies, it felt more like a fairytale castle than a Catholic Church. The pastel pink, green and white marble, intricate decoration and detail is overwhelmingly lovely and mystical.
We take in the view of the magnificent building while sipping espresso in the square, recharging in preparation for a climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome. 463 stone steps form the journey, some forming spiral flights, others a foot steep each. The whole time you ask yourself if this is really going to be worth it, and surely, as always, the city-wide view absolutely is. Not to mention the magnificent ceiling fresco on the dome that is equal parts beautiful and disturbing, with demons and monsters eating and violating people in hell, angels and saints above dressed in rich roses, blues and gold.
The sun comes out just for us as we get to the top of the dome, unsurprisingly yet still always breathtaking is a sea of terra-cotta roofs, paired with an endless expanse or blue sky with perfect puffy clouds. The wind blows our hair rapidly back and forth and we enjoy the feeling of fall arriving in Italy.
by Margaret Groton