Construction on the Duomo started in 1296 on the site of an 800 year old church that was crumbling. The dome, the largest in the world until the modern age, and the last part to be completed, was constructed from 1420 - 1436. The exterior was in construction from the 1300s until 1887.

Computer gamers will recognize the Duomo from Assassin’s Creed II, where it serves as a landmark and the source of several puzzles and climbing expeditions. In fact, one of the main reasons I went to Florence was because of the game. The game does a great job of depicting Florence in the 1400s, although in the game the church is fully constructed with the modern facade. It is definitely more impressive in real life. Photos and even 3D models really do not do it justice.