Florence Cathedral starts bell tower restoration on 1 October

Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) began the first complete restoration of Giotto’s Bell Tower on 1 October 2026. The work affects a landmark within the cathedral complex in Florence, where completed scaffolding now frames the tower while visitors can continue to enter it.

The restoration is a current change for travellers visiting Italy in October and November 2026. The tower remains accessible, although the works will alter views of its exterior as the project proceeds.

Florence Cathedral starts bell tower restoration on 1 October

Workers completed scaffolding around Giotto’s Bell Tower on 1 October 2026. The Associated Press described the structure as 86 metres high and said it prepares the way for the first restoration of the entire tower.

The restoration concerns the bell tower rather than the cathedral nave. The tower is part of the Florence Cathedral complex, and the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore says that major restoration is under way while access to the top terrace remains open.

The construction arrangement is designed to allow the monument to remain usable during the works. Visitors should therefore expect an operating attraction with restoration equipment around it, rather than a general closure of the cathedral complex. The completed scaffolding reported on 1 October marks the visible start of this phase.

Giotto’s Bell Tower gives the restoration its setting

The bell tower was planned by Giotto in 1334, when he was master builder of the Opera. After his death three years later, Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti continued the work, completing the building in 1359.

The freestanding tower has a square base of about 15 metres on each side and rises 84.7 metres above the ground. Its exterior is clad in white, red and green marble, with geometric patterns, sculptural reliefs and marble statues across its lower and upper levels.

That architectural detail explains why the restoration is closely linked to the visitor experience. The scaffolding is not simply beside an anonymous service structure: it surrounds the Gothic tower that forms part of the visual and historic ensemble with the cathedral and Baptistery. The Opera’s account of the tower records its construction history, materials and visitor route.

Access remains open during work in Florence

The current visitor arrangement is specific. The Opera’s ticket information says that the tower is undergoing major restoration, that the top terrace remains open, and that views may be partly reduced during the project.

The cathedral itself has separate access arrangements from the tower. The official visitor information lists the cathedral as closed to visitors on Sundays and religious celebrations, while the tower requires a booked time slot. These differences matter when a visit combines the church with the wider monumental complex.

The tower has 12 bells, although five of the oldest are no longer in use. Its sculptural originals were moved to the museum in the twentieth century for conservation and replaced by copies, another detail that distinguishes the visitor route from the building’s historic fabric.

Visiting Florence Cathedral: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The restoration began on 1 October 2026, and the bell tower is part of the Florence Cathedral complex in Florence.
• The top terrace remains open during the restoration, but the official operator warns that views may be partly reduced by the works.
• The summit route has 414 steps, passes through three superimposed loggias and has no lift. The climb is not recommended for people with heart conditions, dizziness or claustrophobia.
• The tower is accessed through a booked time slot. Medium and large bags, backpacks and suitcases must be left at the luggage storage before entry.

Searching for Florence Cathedral on social platforms

These links open searches for Florence Cathedral on each platform.

Frequently asked questions about Florence Cathedral

What has changed at Florence Cathedral?

Restoration of Giotto’s Bell Tower began on 1 October 2026, with 86-metre scaffolding completed around the tower. The top terrace remains open, although views may be partly reduced.

Where is Florence Cathedral and how do you get there?

Florence Cathedral is in Florence, Italy, and its bell tower forms part of the cathedral complex. The restoration concerns Giotto’s Bell Tower within that complex.

What is Florence Cathedral?

Florence Cathedral is the church at the centre of a monumental complex that includes Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery. The tower was designed by Giotto in 1334 and completed in 1359.