"Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore The cathedral, usuallycalled the Duomo, is Florence ’s most recognizablebuilding. You are able to catch glimpses of itsmagnificent red-tiled cupola from just about anywhere in the city center. Construction on the church complexbegan in 1296 and the work—Brunelleschi’s domeand his Baptistery, and Giotto’s bell tower—was completedin 1426. The interior of this architectural is reserved in contrast with the exterior's marble Gothic facade and its green, pink, and white stripes. Climb the 463 steps up into the dome fora close-up look at Giorgio Vasari's fresco, The Last Judgment , and a bird's-eye view of the city."