It’s so nice to be back after the holiday break, to participate with friends over at Thursday Doors, a door-lovers group hosted by Norm Frampton.
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This past Sunday, my family and I returned from an incredible trip romping around Italy. The long hours on four separate bus rides, the first one lasting a whopping 12 hours, was well worth the sore muscles and fatigue to get to experience Florence, Venice, and Genova. Many wonderful family memories were created, to be referenced for a long time from now.
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Our first evening in Florence, we couldn’t wait to see Florence’s grand Cathedral, the Duomo. It was also close to our hotel. So, after and quick bite to eat, we headed over.
It was amazing, but the crowds were thick. So, the next morning, we rose before the sun and walked the streets in the predawn light. The air was crisp and the city was wonderfully quiet. A fifteen-minute walk later, and we arrived at the Duomo.
Circling the Duomo without a crowd, in the early hours, was a supreme treat.
The cathedral itself is named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore, and it took 150 years to build. It was consecrated in 1436.
Here are some of the grand doors of the Duomo…
More doors from Florence coming next week! Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
If you would like to see more doors from all around the globe, visit Norm’s.
Thoughts of a Wanderer 
Wow – these are beautiful doors.
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Thanks much, Dan. Many beautiful doors in Florence, and they’re so big! =)
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Stunning doors! Churches and cathedrals are great hunting grounds for simply wonderful, old doors.
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They certainly are wonderful hunting grounds. Thanks so much, Sheree, for stopping by. =)
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Incredible. I have been there but in September when there were too many tourists to get anywhere near its famous doors.
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Even with the crowds, it’s still quite magnificent. I was blown away by Florence! Thanks for stopping by! =)
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They are stunning aren’t they? It was in September when we visited a few years ago and the place was wall-to-wall tourists. I wish I had thought to do like you and go back in the early morning. Were you able to visit the interior?
I look forward to seeing what else you captured while in Italy.
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Yes, after we visited the Ufizi Gallery (loved it), we waited in line and saw the inside. It was incredible! Where else in Italy did you visit?
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We’ve been twice. 8 days in 2013 and 16 in 2018. We covered an awful lot of ground during those trips but close to half of it was spent in Tuscany. Lots of gorgeous old towns to visit and so much beautiful countryside to admire. Sigh…I’d go back tomorrow if I could 🙂
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That sounds so nice. I’d love to do the countryside and old towns. I know what you mean. My husband and I want to return tomorrow, but alas, life intrudes. 🙂
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These are so beautiful, so ornate. What a fabulous place to visit.
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It was indeed. I can’t imagine how many carvings there are in the stone of the buildings and the doors. It’s amazing!
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Italy and its wonderful history and amazing craftsmen certainly knows how to do doors worthy of showcasing. 🙂
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It certainly is! I could have stayed much longer and wandered the city capturing more doors. =)
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Great post, Brenda. And what amazing doors.
Teresa
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Thanks so much, Teresa! =)
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Wonderful! It always pays out to be early. 🙂
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For sure, I love the early morning quiet. Thanks for stopping by. =)
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Oh, it’s been too long since I’ve seen these! Your post makes me want to go back. Today.
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