Private Awakening the Duomo - early entrance

Visiting Florence’s Duomo is a must … but the crowds don’t have to be! See the city’s most iconic landmark ‘wake up’ with this exclusive early-morning visit. Admire this exceptional landmark as it comes to life for the day, seeing the doors open for your eyes only and watching the lights go on! 

No visitor would skip seeing the Florence Cathedral. Still, have you ever wondered what these amazing monuments look like at daybreak, quiet and still before crowds start entering? Imagine meeting the person who opens the Duomo’s impressive entryway, stepping inside before anybody else. Now you can, thanks to this novel, spectacular, and exclusive early-morning private tour—The Awakening—crafted to offer a privileged viewpoint of the Duomo.

There are few landmarks in the world as strikingly beautiful as Florence’s green-and-white marble Baptistery and its glorious Duomo, topped off by Brunelleschi’s extraordinary cupola. Both these incredible monuments boast as much architectural and artistic magnificence outside as they do inside. And both are embellished by captivating masterpieces that are best experienced with the wisdom of one of our knowledgeable guides.

It all starts at daybreak: as Florence wakes up, your dedicated private tour guide will lead you to the Duomo doors to meet the “Chiavigero”—the person in charge of opening this jewel of artistic magnificence. The moment the key turns in the lock and the doors open, you will get your first peek of the interior, still dark and silent. Be ready to be surprised: the next thing the key-bearer will do is turn on the lights, firstly those that reveal the amazing frescoed vault. Watch the light slowly illuminate the 3600-square-meter masterpiece painted by Vasari and Zuccari. Admire the elaborate, vibrant fresco of the “Last Judgement” and spot the elders of the Apocalypse, the angels, and the saints come to life before your eyes. 

Follow your guide, gaze glued to the Duomo’s dazzling clock painted by Paolo Uccello. This impressive timepiece tells time from sunset to sunrise! Listen to its uncanny history before turning your attention to the rest of this beautiful church, enlivened by the remarkable knowledge of your personal tour guide. 

At the end of the visit, it will be time to treat yourself to a tasty Italian breakfast. Join the locals at the bar of a historical café to enjoy a delicious espresso or cappuccino and a brioche! 

Nicely rejuvenated, crown your tour with a remarkable viewing of Brunelleschi’s Dome. Access the Duomo from yet another privileged entrance—the Porta Canonici—that will open solely for your party and climb up to the world’s most famous dome. From high up, relish the extraordinary cityscape, and appreciate learning about Brunelleschi’s talent, the people he worked with, and the clever (albeit it somewhat bazaar) way he orchestrated the construction of the cupola. In the meantime, enjoy watching Florence, and the Florentines, from high above. Yet, the Awakening guided tour of the Duomo of Florence is much more than a visit to Florence’s landmarks. It is an awe-inspiring experience you will cherish forever.