The Duomo is one of the most popular landmarks in Florence and is not only an architectural marvel, but also the perfect attraction for history and art lovers. The Duomo was built on the site of the 7th century Cathedral of Santa Reparata and named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore. Although construction of the Florentine cathedral began in the 13th century, it was not completed until the 15th century with the famous Renaissance dome by Filippo Brunelleschi.
Today's Florence Cathedral represents the culmination of the artistic imagination of many great artists and architects. In 1296, Arnolfo di Cambio presented the design for the cathedral, whereupon construction began under the direction of Francesco Talenti. After completion of the dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, the church was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV in 1436.
Construction work on Florence Cathedral began in 1296, and after Cambio's death, work was carried out in the 13th and 14th centuries under the direction of various architects and patrons. In 1418, Filippo Brunelleschi was commissioned to complete the construction of the cathedral. This work began in 1420 and was completed in 1436, the same year in which the cathedral was consecrated. The decorative exterior façade was completed with the polychrome marble façade in 1887. The cathedral's beautiful white, pink and green marble façade was added between 1871 and 1887. It complements the bell tower, which was designed by Giotto di Bondone in 1334.
Today, the cathedral attracts visitors from all over the world: a trip to Florence is simply incomplete without a visit to the cathedral. The cathedral, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, is the fourth largest cathedral in Europe and one of the most important churches in Christendom. Towering proudly over Florence, the Duomo is not only an iconic symbol of the city, but also one of the most exemplary works of Renaissance and Italian Gothic architecture.
Paintings inside the dome © Duomo Firenze
Today, there are almost 1,000 works of art in Florence Cathedral - the largest of which to date is the Last Judgement by Giorgio Vascari (1572). Other famous works of art in Florence Cathedral include Dante and the Three Kingdoms by Domenico di Michelino, the Monument to Giovanni Acuto for Sir John Hawkwood by Paolo Uccello, the Monument to Niccolò da Tolentina by Andrea del Castagno and busts of Giotto (by Benedetto da Maiano), Brunelleschi (by Buggiano), Marsilio Ficino and Antonio Squarcialupi.
The cathedral is also home to 44 stained glass windows, which bathe the interior of the cathedral in glorious colors as soon as the sunlight hits the windows. When the cathedral received the stained glass, it was considered the largest undertaking of its kind in Italy.
Today, Florence Cathedral is the result of years of work spanning centuries of history. However, it was only after the 19th century that changes were made to the exterior façade and interior of the cathedral, including the construction of sacristies and the addition of sculptures and frescoes. When it was completed in the 15th century, the cathedral was the largest cathedral in Europe with a length of 153 meters, a cross width of 90 meters and a total height (from floor to lantern) of 90 meters.
