Italy Blog #24: Florence: Climbing to the Top of Brunelleschi's Dome

Tom and Rob (gasping) making the climb

Welcome to the 24th blog of our Italy tour. On this blog you'll join us in the climb to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome, which sits on the top of the Cathedral of Florence. 

The inside of the dome 

"FACE YOUR FEARS" -   Anyone that knows us knows that I (Rob) don't like heights and they don't phase Tom at all. So, of course, we always have to climb to the top of high structures. Tom says it's good to "face my fears." 
Well, in England in 2012 and 2013 I did a lot of that going to the tops of churches, and even zip lined 200 feet above a forest on another 4 day weekend. 

After about 300 stairs...and counting

Tom videotaping the climb

SIGNS TO CLIMB - Multiple signs warned visitors that they should be healthy and prepared to climb... Oh, yeah, I had a sinus infection (and asthma) so it was a "challenge," but we did it.

the Last Judgment

THE CLIMB - It has 463 steps (there is no elevator) and the climb takes you past the interior of the dome. About half way up to the dome you'll come out on a narrow walkway that hugged the inside of the dome. The walkway went about a half of the the way around and gave us a view of one of the largest paintings of the Renaissance: Giorgio Vasari's frescoes of the Last Judgment (1572-9). It made us think of how people in Italy cue for lines to get in a place (they don't).

Rob: We made it! Now where's my inhaler. Tom: [Eye roll.]

THE STAIRWAY - At times it's very narrow, and there's one way up and down, so when you climb you have to hug the side and stop for people coming down. Of course, there's nothing to look at in the climb except for the butt of the person in front of you, and some small windows that come up occasionally. The walls are unpainted and dirty with age. It's like climbing up a cave!     

View of Florence from the Top of the dome

NEXT: THE OPERA DEL DUOMO MUSEUM 

We made it!