CLIMBING THE FLORENCE DUOMO (DOME)-I NEED OXYGEN!!!

Climbing 436 steps to the top of the Brunelleschi Dome in Florence isn't easy, especially for an old man like myself, but once you're at the top, you get an incredible view of Florence. I hate heights but I think I met someone at the top who is worse than me! It was challenging but fun and I made a few jokes on the way up and down.

The dome is part of the Florence Duomo complex and is on top of the cathedral. The dome, by Filippo Brunelleschi, took 14 years to build (1420-1434) and the lantern on top was added in 1461. It's construction was a major engineering feat by Brunelleschi and was ahead of its time because no reinforcement and no scaffolding was used. Brunelleschi, who was a goldsmith by trade, won a competition to build the dome but was forced to work with his rival, Lorenzo Ghiberti, a fellow goldsmith.

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[jaimeestrada]

Andy...I have seen the video of you climbing the Duomo three times. Question...I can see from some photos that there is a terrace on the outside of the church where people can go outside and take photos. Do you know if this terrace is accessible on both sides of the church? I only see people walking on the terrace on the side of the bell tower. Thank you so much! I do think the scaffolding is going to be there when I arrive. Jaime

[arupsan]

I had similar experiences in Vatican . They have same system of staircase . Ran out of breath almost . It was scary due to crowds .

[ChrisW-ny]

It is a short railing. Maybe now if I’m on my knees! Thanks for the experience shared!

[annaz.]

You walked the same stairs as Bruneleschi! Wow, original stones!

[swooloo]

Thank you for the informative video! Even though watching it scared me, I still completed the climb yesterday. I even climbed the slightly shorter Campanile the next morning.

[glentonrichards]

Thanks for sharing this! Now I don’t have to do it myself. 😅😂 I don’t mind the heights or climbing, but the claustrophobia plus the climb seems like more than I care for. The view looks great though! And great video! 😊🙌🏾

[deborahscotland]

So much fun to see this Andy. I'm glad you did it for me as it's not on my list, I know I couldn't manage.

[candycandyfu]

Already went 2 times can't get enough

[JonAngFilms]

Lovely place to visit, Italy is on our bucket list 😃

[claudiabiancadarocha]

Hi there. Thank you so much for your video. I want to go to Italy so so much but as of now I am not able to ( I want to add yet, for I still have hope...) . I am not sure I would be able to go up because of my health and age, but even though I am claustrophobic and scared of heights ( although my dream superpower would be flying ) I would love to try. I am in love with Italy's countryside and any water related places ( seashore, lakes ) more than the big cities, but I'd probably would like to visit a few tourist major places too. Do you have videos of countryside and lakes adventures? I'd like to watch those too. Thanks!

[hilfdsgfuiw]

That last part of stairs was almost as bad as the escalators in St. Petersburg metro. Vertigo = maximum

[jackiederuiter]

How many steps to the platform to see the Last Judgement 🤔. That’s as far as I want to go

[BhanusKitchenBhanusRasoi]

Lovely video Andy. I have one question if you can help. If I buy skip the line ticket to enter inside the Cathedral Duomo then do I need separate ticket to climb all the way up to the terrace and I need to stand in line to go up?

[martinatob]

Thanks for the video, I’ve decided not to go after seeing your video 😀🙈 I’m claustrophobic and this looks so bad to me 😅

[dukatista]

Is there a place where you can rest? Not sure if I can do the climb non stop

[gh_]

Can you tell me how long the whole climb took? I have a fear of heights and I’ve abandoned other church tower climbs, and 400+ steps would be the tallest I’d attempt. Trying to decide if I should shell out for the tickets even if I end up abandoning it part way.

[forestrot]

I only went into the bottom part. Too many folks that day.

[Evan-lxlw]

100 people every 15 minutes?

There didn't seem to be that many that
1) were at the top with you
2) you passed on the way down

Also - do they "force" you to leave the top (after 10-15 minutes) or can people stay as long as they like?
Thanks

[adrenkhahn]

Hi Andy. Old out of shape gal hoping to climb the Duomo and the Bell tower in July. Climbing the 9 floors at work (about 150 stairs) to train!
How many “rest stations” are there and about how far apart? Every 100 stairs perhaps?

[randomperson]

This video is so good!!
This video brought back my memories with Florence year 2017💖💖
It is so pleasing to think that I actually been there specifically in those stairs and the dome 😭