Florence
Cathedral
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The Duomo di Firenze,
the Florence Cathedral, was built between 1296 and 1436. The cathedral is one
of the largest in the world. Its imposing dome, attributed to the Florentine
architect Filippo Brunelleschi, still dominates the city.
Cathedral
Florence Cathedral
The Cathedral of Florence, officially known as Cattedrale Santa
Maria del Fiore but better known as the Duomo, was originally planned in 1296
as a Gothic cathedral by Arnolfo di Cambio. It replaced the church of Santa
Reparata, a cathedral church with a history going back to the early Middle
Ages.
The new cathedral symbolized Florence's growing importance and was to be significantly larger than its predecessor.
The new cathedral symbolized Florence's growing importance and was to be significantly larger than its predecessor.
Front façade
Francesco Talenti, who lead the construction of the cathedral from
1351 on increased its size even more by expanding the apses and extending the
nave. Filippo Brunelleschi - the most important architect of the early
Renaissance - designed the Duomo's most striking feature, the enormous dome.
Construction of the church would last until 1436 when it was consecrated by pope Eugene IV. The originally planned Gothic front façade however was unrealized. The magnificent marble cladding that we see today was only added much later, between 1871 and 1887, in a neo-Gothic style with colorful patterns. As a result the façade nicely complements the design of the cathedral's 14th century bell tower. Some statues that were created for the originally planned façade are now on display at the Museo dell'Opera dell Duomo, a nearby museum dedicated to works of art from the cathedral.
Construction of the church would last until 1436 when it was consecrated by pope Eugene IV. The originally planned Gothic front façade however was unrealized. The magnificent marble cladding that we see today was only added much later, between 1871 and 1887, in a neo-Gothic style with colorful patterns. As a result the façade nicely complements the design of the cathedral's 14th century bell tower. Some statues that were created for the originally planned façade are now on display at the Museo dell'Opera dell Duomo, a nearby museum dedicated to works of art from the cathedral.
Ceiling fresco
The cathedral's interior is less colorful and decorations were
kept to a minimum. The exception is the fresco on the dome's interior, painted
between 1572 and 1579 by Giorgio Vasari and Frederico Zuccari. The fresco
depicts the Last Judgment.
Also of note is the marble floor with intricate patterns.
Also of note is the marble floor with intricate patterns.
The dome
Dome
The dome of the Duomo was the world's largest when it was completed
in 1436 and still towers over the city. The lantern on top of the dome was
added later, in 1461, by Michelozzi Michelozzo. The dome, a marvel of
engineering, was designed by Brunelleschi, who submitted his plans after he
went to Rome to study thePantheon,
which long had the world's largest dome.
Brunelleschi managed to create the enormous dome without supports thanks to an ingenious design which consisted of an inner shell made of bricks with a herringbone pattern and a horizontal stone chain, which reduced stress and allowed the weight to be evenly distributed. The outer, much smaller shell supports the roof and protects the inner shell from the elements. Between the two shells is a staircase, which leads visitors to the base of the lantern.
Brunelleschi managed to create the enormous dome without supports thanks to an ingenious design which consisted of an inner shell made of bricks with a herringbone pattern and a horizontal stone chain, which reduced stress and allowed the weight to be evenly distributed. The outer, much smaller shell supports the roof and protects the inner shell from the elements. Between the two shells is a staircase, which leads visitors to the base of the lantern.
The campanile
Campanile
The bell tower of the cathedral was originally designed in 1334 by
Giotto di Bondone, at the time the official master builder of the city. After
Giotto died in 1337 the bell tower was completed first by Andrea Pisano and
later by Francesco Talenti. The 85 meter high tower was completed in 1359. The
colorful façade is clad with green, pink and white Tuscan marble. The relief
decorations were created in terra cotta by Andrea Pisano.
The tower is accessible to visitors and offers a magnificent view of the city and the cathedral's dome in particular.
The tower is accessible to visitors and offers a magnificent view of the city and the cathedral's dome in particular.
Baptistery
Baptistery
The Baptistery is one of Florence's oldest buildings and predates
the cathedral. It was constructed on top of Roman foundations, possibly as
early as in the sixth century. The interior dates back to the 13th century when
the mosaics on the ceiling - depicting stories from the bible - were created.
The exterior white and green marble cladding was added around the same time.
The façade cladding was so popular that it became a model
Ceiling mosaics
for many other baptistery and church façades in Tuscany.
After the interior and cladding were finished, the guild of the wool merchants - who funded the renovation - decided to replace the wooden doors with new bronze ones.
The south doors were created in 1336 in a Gothic design by Andrea Pisano and depicts ecclesiastical scenes. A succession of disasters, including an outbreak of the plague, postponed the creation of the other doors.
Finally, in 1401, the wool guild organized a competition to select a design for additional new doors. Seven artists submitted panels, and in 1403 a design by Ghiberti was selected.
After the interior and cladding were finished, the guild of the wool merchants - who funded the renovation - decided to replace the wooden doors with new bronze ones.
The south doors were created in 1336 in a Gothic design by Andrea Pisano and depicts ecclesiastical scenes. A succession of disasters, including an outbreak of the plague, postponed the creation of the other doors.
Finally, in 1401, the wool guild organized a competition to select a design for additional new doors. Seven artists submitted panels, and in 1403 a design by Ghiberti was selected.
Gates of Paradise
The panel submitted by Ghiberti's main rival Brunelleschi however
- on display in the Bargello - is now considered the first
Renaissance artwork as it departed from the prevailing byzantine art style by
using perspective and showing realistic depictions of humans and their
environment.
Ghiberti completed the panels for the north doors in 1424 after which he started working on the east doors, which were finally completed in 1452. These last doors, depicting scenes from the bible, are considered Ghiberti's best work and have been described by Michelangelo as the Gates of Paradise. The panels have long been replaced by replicas, the originals are now on display at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
Ghiberti completed the panels for the north doors in 1424 after which he started working on the east doors, which were finally completed in 1452. These last doors, depicting scenes from the bible, are considered Ghiberti's best work and have been described by Michelangelo as the Gates of Paradise. The panels have long been replaced by replicas, the originals are now on display at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
This museum, located nearby at Piazza del Duomo 9, is dedicated to
the history and construction of the Cathedral of Florence. The museum has a
valuable collection of artwork from the cathedral, such as sculptures,
reliquary, religious paintings and the original panels of the doors of the
baptistery. Tools used for the construction of the cathedral are also on
display.
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