Giotto’s Bell Tower in Florence: Guide to the Visit, History and Fun Facts

Giotto’s Bell Tower is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is located in the heart of Florence and is one of the symbols of the city, as well as one of the highest summits reached by Italian Gothic.

During 1298, the foundations were dug in a construction site that had Arnolfo di Cambio as master builder and which would soon see the birth of the bell tower. Giotto di Bondone began working as a master builder in 1334, immediately concentrating on the construction of the first floor of the tower and putting aside the work on the cathedral construction site.

One of the characteristics of Giotto’s tower is its particular position, aligned with the façade of the cathedral.

A deliberate choice, made to give the bell tower itself a striking importance.

Giotto drew and designed the bell tower. In this way, after his death (which took place in 1337) the work was carried on by his pupil Andrea Pisano and then by Francesco Talenti. The latter completed the bell tower in 1359, making changes to the original project with the creation of the terraced crowning.

Externally, the bell tower is clad in white, green and red marble. The marble features geometric patterns and stylised flowers.

The first two levels are enriched by sculptural furnishings dating back to the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

The portal is completed by a tympanum with sculptures and twenty-six hexagonal marble panels by Andrea Pisano, dedicated to the creation of the Progenitors and to human activities.

Going upwards, we find a cycle of 28 diamond-shaped marble panels, depicting the celestial powers. They have bas-reliefs in blue majolica and are dedicated to the seven Christian Virtues, the seven Planets, the seven Sacraments, the seven Liberal Arts.

Also on the same level is a door that provided access to a connection with the Cathedral.

It is here that we can admire a work by Andrea Pisano, the Madonna of the Tickle.

Going up to the upper level we observe sixteen niches that house as many statues. They are made of white marble and depict Sibyls, Old Testament Prophets and Patriarchs.

The statues are the work of Andrea and Nino Pisano, Donatello and Nanni di Bartolo.

The originals are now kept at the Museum.

Giotto’s bell tower: height

The bell tower has a square base of 15 metres on each side and a total height of 84.7 metres, offering one of the most beautiful and evocative views of Florence.

The tower is divided horizontally by cornices that define five superimposed floors. Externally it boasts a particularly elaborate decoration, with life-size statues, lozenges, hexagonal tiles and reliefs.

The cladding is in white, red and green marble.

The almost 85 metres of height make Giotto’s bell tower one of the most important and evocative panoramic points of Florence, from which it is possible to admire the city and the surrounding area.

Giotto’s bell tower: steps

To reach the top of the bell tower it is necessary to climb 398 steps to which must be added the 15 of the first access ramp.

A total of 413 steps lead us to one of the most important observation points in Florence, at a height of 84.7 metres.

The steps are all inside the tower and were built taking into account precise specifications.

In fact, in order not to weaken the walls, it was decided to eliminate some windows designed to give light to the room on the first floor.

Giotto’s Bell Tower: opening hours

The Bell Tower can be visited every day from 8:15 to 18:45.

The visit is available by reservation.

Giotto’s bell tower: visit

To reach the top of the bell tower you need to climb 414 steps.

There are no lifts. Therefore, the visit is not recommended for people with claustrophobic, heart and vertigo problems.

During the visit, it is possible to stop at the different floors of the tower to rest and take some photos.

Once at the top we can admire the entire city, with the Cathedral and Brunelleschi’s Dome, and the hills around Florence.

Campanile Giotto: entrance

Giotto’s Bell Tower is in Piazza del Duomo.

The entrance is located on the south side of the Cathedral.

The bell tower is easily accessible because it is located in the heart of the city. It is just 800 metres from the Santa Maria Novella railway station.

The public can also take advantage of a direct bus that connects the Orti Oricellari Station with arrival in Orsanmichele.

Connections are daily, departing every 15 minutes and the journey takes 8 minutes.

The same area is served by buses 6, 11, 14, 23, C1 and C2 and by the Alamanni and T1 trams.

Giotto’s Bell Tower: reservation

From 3 May 2023, Giotto’s Bell Tower can be visited by reservation, choosing an entry time.

The first bookable entrance is at 8:15, the last at 18.45.

In total, there are 15 daily admissions available for up to 120 people per time slot.

The adoption of the reservation system was decided upon to reduce queues, make the visit easier and less stressful, and to reduce the pressure on the bell tower.

In addition, from 1 May, it is also possible to check luggage at Piazza Duomo 38/r, next to the museum entrance.

Here visitors must leave backpacks, bags and other bulky items, which normally slow down the controls and make the visit itself not particularly easy.

Giotto’s Bell Tower: price

Entrance to Giotto’s Bell Tower is upon purchase of a ticket.

This is a cumulative ticket available at a cost of € 30.

The ticket entitles you to visits to the Cathedral, Dome, Crypt, Baptistery, Bell Tower and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.

These are the prices and reductions:

Single ticket: € 30;
Children from 7 to 14 years old: € 12;
Children under 6 years old: Free admission.

It is possible to reserve a free entrance for people with difficulties.

All you have to do is request it by writing an email to accessibilita@duomo.firenze.it or by referring to the cash desk in Piazza Duomo 14.

These entrances are given according to availability and by providing a certification document.

The free admission for the accompanying person will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Giotto’s bell tower: internal

Inside, the bell tower houses twelve bells.

Of these, five are the oldest and were decommissioned. The largest of these, called the Apostolica, was built in 1405, weighs 5,000 pounds and can now be admired on the floor of the belfry.

The other four smaller bells are the Beona, the Maria Anna, the small bell of 1,400 pounds and the smaller bell of 1,000 pounds, are installed in the windows.

Currently, Giotto’s Bell Tower concert consists of seven bells:

Campanone, from 1705;
Misericordia, from 1830;
Apostolica, from 1957;
Annunziata, from 1956;
Mater Dei, from 1956;
L’Assunta, from 1956;
L’Immacolata, from 1956.

Giotto’s Bell Tower: entrance

Entry to Giotto’s Bell Tower requires compliance with the bag check regulations.

The bell tower boasts two bag checks:

Large Bag Check, in Piazza Duomo 38/r;
Small Bag Check in Piazza Duomo 9.

Visitors are required to deposit their luggage at the bag check declaring the contents of each piece of luggage.

It is mandatory to turn over suitcases, backpacks, packages, containers, bags, umbrellas, sticks, camera tripods, signs, posters, knives, scissors, metal objects, and anything else requested by the staff.

Luggage must be checked tightly closed.

Luggage containing flammable, perishable or materials or goods that have bad odours, jewellery, precious metals, money, valuables, samples and business documents, luggage weighing more than 25 kg and clothes will not be accepted.