Experts are inspecting the bags on the roof of the dome in Florence

Florence - Specialists in high-altitude work began on Tuesday to inspect tile by tile the condition of the roof of the Santa Maria del Fiore dome - the Renaissance landmark of Italian Florence. Experts "are descending from the top of the dome, from a height of more than 100 meters like real climbers", wrote the Italian website Il Sole 24 Ore.

According to the AFP agency, this is the first operation in the last decade in which Florence has engaged a specialized company for dangerous works in assessing the state of the dome. "It's a remarkable procedure that allows for the inspection of the dome's covering tile by tile and verifying its preservation status," said the head of the office responsible for the maintenance of the dome, Luca Bagnoli.

The facades of the cathedral, which total 40,000 square meters, are inspected twice a year even with the use of a crane. The need for such work was highlighted by a tragic incident in October, when a falling piece of stone decoration in the interior of the Florence Basilica of Santa Croce killed a Spanish tourist.

The Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral began construction in 1296 and is one of the largest Franciscan churches in the world. The monumental dome, with an internal diameter of over 40 meters, was completed in the 15th century according to the design of architect Filippo Brunelleschi.

Currently, work is also underway on Giotto's Bell Tower standing in the square of the dome. From a giant crane with a 135-meter-long arm, the condition of a 14-meter cypress trunk at the top of the tower, on which a golden reliquary with a cross is placed, will be inspected.