The Opera del Duomo Museum preserves original works created for the Cathedral, Baptistery and Bell Tower, including Michelangelo’s Bandini Pietà and Ghiberti’s original Gates of Paradise. Models and historic tools explain how Florence’s cathedral complex was built. It is the best companion visit for anyone who wants to understand the monuments rather than only photograph them.
How to experience it
Pair the museum with the Cathedral complex: the original sculptures and construction models make the architecture much easier to read.
Before you go
Do not try to see everything. Choose a small group of works or rooms, pause for the architecture and leave enough energy for the walk back into the city. Official sites remain the safest source for tickets, temporary closures, accessibility and bag rules.