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Oddities

2026-01-07

A Noble Neighbor: The Peregrine Falcon and the Cathedral of Florence

For over thirty years, a pair of peregrine falcons has inhabited Brunelleschi's Dome, protecting the marbles of Florence Cathedral through natural biological control

peregrine falcon

Looking up at Brunelleschi’s Dome, you might catch a glimpse of the lightning-fast flight of the fastest predator on the planet: for over thirty years, a pair of peregrine falcons has made the Cathedral of Florence their home.

For a falcon, the Dome and the Bell Tower, like other parts of the Cathedral, are not just architectural masterpieces, but the ecological equivalent of natural cliff faces; the dizzying heights provide safety and a privileged vantage point for hunting, while the inaccessible recesses of the timber scaffolding are perfect for nesting.

This extraordinary raptor is a true marvel of nature, capable of exceeding 320 km/h in a dive thanks to eyesight as sharp as binoculars and unmatched agility. Their life cycle follows the rhythm of the seasons: courtship begins in February with spectacular aerial displays over the skies of Florence, followed by egg-laying in March. The young falcons take their first flight between May and June, yet the pair remains tied to this territory for most of the year, hunting among the rooftops of the city.

Their presence among the Duomo’s marbles represents a form of collaboration with the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore: feeding exclusively on other birds captured in flight, the falcons perform a natural biological control, keeping pigeons away and thus protecting the monuments from damage caused by droppings. The return of the peregrine, which in the 1960s risked extinction due to pesticides, is now a symbol of environmental rebirth.

As you walk beneath this marvel of human ingenuity, remember to look to the sky: among the clouds and the stones lives a silent guardian, helping to protect the eternal beauty of Florence.

A Guide to Coexistence

Photography and Sightings

  • Why avoid the flash: Falcons have extraordinary vision, far more sensitive than our own. A sudden flash at close range can dazzle them, causing them to lose their orientation or balance while perched on the ledges.
  • Enjoy the flight: If a falcon flies near you, stay still. Sudden arm movements could be interpreted as a threat to the nest, prompting the adult to fly away and leave the chicks unattended.

The "First Steps" (April–June Period)

  • During the spring, young falcons begin to explore the Cathedral, the Dome, and the Bell Tower. They are not yet expert pilots and may appear to be in difficulty.
  • Why you should not touch them: If you find a young falcon (recognizable by its white down or brown feathers) perched on a step, know that it has not been abandoned. The parents are watching over it from above. Touching or picking it up would cause unnecessary stress that could jeopardize its first flight.
  • What to actually do: If the fledgling is in a high-traffic area where it risks being bumped by tourists, simply notify the Opera staff. They know how to safely move it to a more sheltered area.

Silence and Respect

  • Why lower your voice: The reverberation among the stones of the Cathedral amplifies sounds. Loud noises or shouting can frighten the mother during incubation (March–April). If the mother suddenly rises in a fright, the eggs risk cooling down too quickly.
  • Do not feed them: Falcons are pure predators; they eat only what they hunt in flight. Offering them food is not only useless but also harmful to their natural behavior.
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