Climbing Brunelleschi's dome

You can climb the 463 steps to the top of Brunelleschi's dome at the Duomo (actual name is the church of Santa Maria del Fiori..."Saint Mary of the Flowers"). The entrance is on the right side of the church, as you face it. The steps you climb are between the ceiling and the roof, with occasional portholes to look out as you progress. The view is absolutely grand when you get to the cupola's circular railing at the top. Very peaceful and quiet. Spend an hour there on top, looking and reflecting. Brunelleschi created his huge (until recently the largest in the world), majestic dome by studying ancient Roman methods, and creating new innovations of his own (see www.obscure.org/~perky/uoffr/fall2002/ISYS203U/Duomo_Site/ ).