Founded in the late 13th Century, the Museo dell’Opera was originally a commissioning body for the Florence Cathedral and was only converted into a museum in 1891 to preserve the cathedral’s original works of art. The cathedral’s octagonal dome spanning a diameter of 45.5 metres, was completed in 1434 - an undisputed masterpiece which has withstood lightning, earthquakes and the passage of time. Consisting of 25 rooms on three floors, the museum’s spectacular design is home to rich tales of faith, art and history, presented in a manner that is unparalleled. The sculptures from the Baptistery of the Florence Cathedral can be found here, notably the ‘Gates of Paradise’ and ‘The Deposition’, also known as ‘The Lamentation over the Dead Christ’. The latter is a famous sculpture created by Michelangelo which the artist had intended to be placed on his own tomb. If you have an hour or two, you will not regret a visit to the newly refurbished Museo dell’Opera, guaranteed to provide you with an interesting and enriching experience!