After a sequence of discerning questions and considerable conversation I chose not to walk the 483 steps up to look out from the catwalk at the top of Brunelleshi's dome.
I don't mind climbing stairs at all - have climbed a couple hundred every day in Florence - and am a mad fan for views and vistas, but not so much with the great heights. When it came to it I contented myself with seeing the very beautiful underside of the dome painted with scenes of The Last Judgment (showing the dead rising from their graves and coming before a radiant Christ). The huge cathedral is beautiful, notable for the fully marble front, marble inlaid floors inside, and a painting of Dante with the rings of Purgatorio behind him as he holds a copy of The Inferno in his hand.
We also toured the Santa Maria Novella Church where I especially liked the frescoes in the "Spanish Chapel" (see the detail below of Christ walking on water during the storm).
Did anyone else in your party make the climb? I love the photos, especially the fresco of Peter walking on water. It is really lovely. I can picture Dad lecturing some when in these chapels and cathedrals... is he sharing from his fountain of knowledge? and also you and yours regarding art history?
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