Santa Maria del Fiore, the duomo is the religious heart of the city. Its Campanile, designed by Giotto is 85 meters high and decorated with green, white and pink marble. It was completed in 1359, 20 years after Giotto's death. The cupola of the duomo, a work of Brunelleschi was the largest cupola built at the time and is a true masterpiece.

Located close by is the Baptistery San Giovanni. Assumed to have been built in the 4th century it is one of Florence's oldest buildings. Its cupola is elaborately decorated with mosaics from the 13th century. Numerous Florentines such as Dante are said to have been baptised there.