Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Florence is a smaller, must-see museum in the center of Florence, Italy, just outside of the Duomo. It’s the museum that holds many of the original works of art created for the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Duomo of Florence.

What you’ll experience in the museum

We found this museum on our first trip to Florence and were amazed at the essential pieces housed here. Here are some of my favorite works of art that we had the opportunity to see first hand. As always, take your time and study and enjoy the creations of the masters. It truly is a gift of God to create such wonders and evoke the emotions they do.

Sculptures and doors of the baptistry

Image 1 and 2: The Baptism of Christ by Andrea Sansovino is a group of sculptures that sit above The Gates of Paradise. Authorities replaced the sculptures with copies. The museum displays the originals for us to enjoy. Andrea started the statue of Christ and the Baptist in 1502, which he left uncompleted. Vincenzo Danti completed the sculptures in 1569. Innocenzo Spinazzi added the Angel in 1792.

Image 3: Two doors of the baptistry called The Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti started in 1425 and took 27 years to finish. Ten panels depict scenes from the Old Testament. The panels are 3D and have a perspective that gives them depth. The city dismantled the doors and hid them in 1943 during World War II bombings. A flood damaged the panels again in 1966, and the city removed them once again to repair them. As a result, in 1990, after 500 years, the originals were replaced by copies to protect them from the environment.

Sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo

Image 4: The Penitent Magdalene by Donatello is a white poplar wooden sculpture created around 1453 to 1455. This sculpture is very different than others showing Mary Magdalene. Donatello’s emaciated figure emits so much emotion and pain. As a result, you feel this emotion as you circle this work of art and look into her face.

Image 5: The Deposition, a Pietà by Michelangelo intended for his tomb. A marble sculpture that Michelangelo worked on between 1547 and 1553 depicts four figures: The dead body of Christ, Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary, and Nicodemus. People believe the face of Nicodemus is a self-portrait of Michelangelo. Michelangelo smashed the sculpture after he found an impurity in the marble. However, Tiberio Calcagni later fixed and finished the sculpture.

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Florence, Italy, is definitely worth a few hours in the afternoon!

NOTE: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.