It's a long way up!

417 steps, give or take 10... that's the climb up and into the cupola of Florence's duomo. And these are not just any steps: they're steep, crooked, narrow, carved into uneven stone, worn by thousands of people treading over them and they take you up 114 meters.

Good cardio exercise -- not for the faint of heart or for the weak of legs. I waited downstairs and delegated the photo taking task to my daughters. I could've posted any one of the 100 or so photos I took from ground level (along with thousands of other tourists...) but when I saw this, I figured it would provide a whole 'nother perspective to that most photographed building :) Hopefully, I can be forgiven for that transgression...