Carlo Tacconi is the worker who gets on the highest and most beautiful roof of Florence. The only one that enters the golden ball of Verrocchio on top of Brunelleschi’s Dome of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the symbol of the city. Up there, 116 meters from the ground, after 463 steps, opens the window and enjoys a unique view.

“We get on the ball three times a year to do maintenance,” says Tacconi, 51, Construction coordinator of the Santa Maria del Fiore Opera House, founded in 1296. With him, 20 technicians work between construction and stonemasons: the latter make up the marble part, restoration and control of the facades. A team that takes care of the entire cathedral 365 days a year.