Collins Blog 1

The building above is of the Duomo (Dome) of Florence. This giant church has affected me in a positive way. When I studied in Italy, in a small town about 45 minutes from Florence, I was still hearing of the magnitude of this building. When I first visited Florence, which was the beginning of a multitude of trips to this city, it was impossible to not see this church in any part of the city. The dome was a major leap forward in architecture because the size of the dome itself seems to defy gravity. I was awestruck when I first encountered the Duomo because I have never seen a cathedral so large in my life and the intricate art on the inside with the paintings and sculptures made it a marvel. I was allowed to go to the very top of the Duomo on a special group because I was chosen in my group to go to the top. Seeing the city of Florence from the largest construct in the entire city was a memory I will never forget.