the Florence Cathedral – (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori)

Florence Cathedral is a Renaissance architectural marvel renowned for its marble cladding and the spectacular dome designed by Brunelleschi.

Given its long history and the countless artists who have worked on it, there are numerous treasures to discover. Let’s delve into its secrets and explore its breathtaking artistic works!

History of Florence Cathedral

When the Florence Cathedral was completed in the 15th century, it was the largest church in the world at that time. Today, it ranks among the top ten European constructions, following St. Peter’s Basilica, the Milan Cathedral, the Seville Cathedral, and others.

The area where the Florence Cathedral now stands was previously occupied by Roman sanctuaries. They were later replaced by the Church of San Lorenzo and, in the 7th century, by the early Christian basilica dedicated to Santa Reparata. However, all these structures were located outside the city walls.

With the expansion of the city walls, the cathedral finally became part of the urban center, along with the nearby Baptistery of St. John.

Florence grew increasingly crowded due to its wealth, improved living conditions, commercial power, and political influence. Consequently, they erected a more spacious and splendid cathedral to showcase their prestige to rival cities such as Pisa and Siena.

Commencement of Florence Cathedral Construction

The Medici family initiated the construction of the new church in 1294, initially entrusting the project to Arnolfo di Cambio. Only when Brunelleschi‘s dome was completed in 1496 did Pope Eugenius IV officially consecrate Florence Cathedral?

Numerous masters and artists worked on the cathedral, including Giotto, mainly known for the bell tower, and Francesco Talenti and Giovanni di Lapo Ghini.

The cathedral is dedicated to the Madonna del Fiore, symbolizing the fleur-de-lis in Florence’s coat of arms, although many other interpretations exist.

The cathedral’s construction began in the presence of the Church of Santa Reparata, around which the construction site was organized. As the new structure took shape, parts of the previous church were dismantled.

The progress of the cathedral construction had its ups and downs for various reasons. A crisis ensued when the architect Arnolfo di Cambio passed away, and another setback occurred with the plague outbreak in the city.

The discovery of the relics of Saint Zenobius, the first bishop of Florence, buried in the foundations of the previous church, gave a fresh impetus to the project.

Florence Cathedral – Brunelleschi’s Dome

The magnificent dome of Florence Cathedral existed in the early 15th century. Until then, the problem of how to build it had not been addressed, and it was no small task given its size.

Through a public competition, they sought a solution, especially considering how to transport the enormous amount of construction materials to a height of 90 meters. In an era without the technological machinery available today.

Brunelleschi solved the dilemma by constructing two self-supporting overlapping domes. The inner dome was sturdier and thicker than the outer one, which served as a mere covering and protection.

However, the factor that facilitated the construction was the arrangement of the bricks in the lower dome in a herringbone pattern. This way, despite the slope, they couldn’t slide before the mortar hardened.

It must be said that based on his original designs, Arnolfo di Cambio had already envisioned the dome with its current dimensions… even though he didn’t yet know how to construct it physically.

DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE

Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour

Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide

Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli

BOOK NOW

Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour

David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide

Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.

BOOK NOW

THE GOLDEN SPHERE OF THE CATHEDRAL

A lantern surmounts the dome, also designed by Brunelleschi, although he did not live to see its completion as he passed away earlier. Completing this architectural feature is a giant sphere with a golden cross, created by Verrocchio in 1471.

Made of copper and covered in gold, the 2.5-meter-diameter sphere has been a target for numerous lightning strikes, causing severe damage over the years. In 1601, it even collapsed onto Piazza del Duomo; to this day, a white marble disk marks the exact point of impact.

Periodically, specialized technicians enter the sphere’s interior to inspect its integrity, peering out through a hole. Undoubtedly an adrenaline-inducing experience.

Upon closer inspection of the outer edge of Brunelleschi’s dome, however, one can observe that it remains unfinished. Baccio D’Angelo was responsible for constructing the elaborate walkway around the octagonal perimeter. When Michelangelo was consulted for his opinion, he harshly criticized the project, and since then, it has remained incomplete.

florence cathedral photos

ARCHITECTURE OF FLORENCE CATHEDRAL

The cathedral is entirely clad in polychrome marble, white, pink, and green, sourced from various parts of Tuscany. The current facade dates back to 1887, when Arnolfo di Cambio‘s original design was never completed due to his untimely death. A detailed model of the first project is displayed in the Opera del Duomo Museum.

THE FACADE OF THE CATHEDRAL

Francesco I de’ Medici was the driving force behind the decision to dismantle Arnolfo’s facade, as it no longer aligned with the Renaissance style of his time. He then proposed to Bernardo Buontalenti to design a new one, but Buontalenti still needed to complete the work, leaving the wall unfinished for a long time.

During special celebrations, the incomplete wall was covered with a mock facade.

Only in 1871 did Emilio de Fabris undertake the work on the current facade while maintaining the same iconography as the previous one, centered around the Madonna and Christianity.

One can observe statues of popes, bishops, the Madonna and Child, the twelve apostles, and busts of past artists. Three grand bronze portals adorn this side, depicting scenes from the life of the Madonna. The lunettes are decorated with mosaic decorations, a pediment with a bas-relief of Mary crowned, and a floral scepter. Rose windows surmount the portals, while a perforated balustrade crowns the upper part.

THE DOORS OF THE FLORENCE CATHEDRAL

Like the facade, the sides are also entirely marble, featuring the same geometric designs as the Baptistery and the bell tower. Bifora windows with tympanums, various decorations, and two portals on each side complete the flanks.

On the side facing the bell tower, one can see the Campanile Door and the Door of the Canons, as well as a plaque commemorating the cathedral’s foundation in 1296.

On the opposite side, the Door of Balla, named after an ancient access point in the medieval walls, is decorated with two columns supported by lions and angel statuettes above.
The Porta della Mandola, on the other hand, takes its name from the shape of an element in the upper decoration. Two prophets appear on its pinnacles, one created by Donatello, while Ghirlandaio made the Annunciation in mosaic. This door leads to the visit to Brunelleschi’s dome.

DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE

Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour

Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide

Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli

BOOK NOW

Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour

David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide

Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.

BOOK NOW

APSE OF THE DUOMO

The back part of the Florence Cathedral consists of three apses, each surmounted by semi-cupolas and buttresses with gargoyles.

The famous David by Michelangelo was commissioned to be placed above the buttress to the north. However, it was later decided to put it in a more privileged position in Piazza della Signoria.

The top of the dome is traversed by an attic from which the circular openings facing the nave, also known as “eyes,” can be better observed. It is accessible through specific visits.

INTERIOR OF THE Florence Cathedral

The interior of the Florence Cathedral is divided into three aisles that intersect with a large round area, surmounted by the splendid dome of Brunelleschi. At this point, the church reaches its maximum internal height of 90 meters.

The interior of the Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore church) has a more austere and less elaborate appearance than the exterior. Nonetheless, the flooring is an incredible spectacle with its variety of inlaid polychrome marbles. During the restoration, many marbles from the previous unfinished façade were also used to create it.

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF THE DUOMO OF FLORENCE

The church is characterized by over 50 stained glass windows, many created by Lorenzo Ghiberti, the same artist who made the Gates of Paradise for the Baptistery. The central rose window on the façade consists of 28 panels depicting the Assumption of Mary into heaven, surrounded by angels and awaited in heaven by Jesus.

ITALIAN CLOCK OF THE DUOMO

On the counter-façade is an Italian Clock, accompanied by frescoes of evangelists created by Paolo Uccello. The clock is divided into 24 hours, whose duration varies according to the seasons and starts from the hour of vespers. This clock was used until the 18th century.

DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE

Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour

Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide

Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli

BOOK NOW

Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour

David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide

Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.

BOOK NOW

TOMBS AND MONUMENTS oF Florence Cathedral

Throughout the centuries, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and its religious function also had a public role. This is why tombs and monuments dedicated to illustrious men and important Florentine fighters are visible inside. At one point, there was even a consideration to transform it into a Pantheon similar to the one in Rome.

Just after entering, one of the first monuments is dedicated to Filippo Brunelleschi. It is a bust set into the wall, while his tomb is next to the crypt’s entrance. In the Duomo Museum, among other things, his funerary mask made of white plaster is preserved. Interestingly, there is also a statue of the artist on the façade of a building facing Piazza del Duomo, with his eyes turned toward the dome, his masterpiece.

Also remarkable is the painting depicting Dante in the Divine Comedy, in which the cathedral with the dome is shown, although the cladding of the façades is not completed.

Many busts of other artists are present, such as those of Arnolfo di Cambio and Giotto, or the equestrian monument frescoes resembling marble.

CHOIR OF THE Florence Cathedral

The choir occupies the space under the dome and expands into the three tribunes corresponding to the apse. The massive columns that support the dome are decorated with niches occupied by statues of the twelve apostles. Michelangelo‘s unfinished Saint Matthew, preserved at the Galleria dell’Accademia, was supposed to be one of them. However, the artist still needs to complete the work due to other commitments in the service of the Pope in Rome.

Within the choir area, the clergy includes the high altar, with a distinctive table resting on eight marble urns. The ambo, where sacred texts are read, is a modern work by a Japanese artist.

The three tribunes each consist of five radiating chapels, and the leading one houses the relics of Saint Zenobius.

The sundial is visible in the Santa Croce tribune, built in 1450 and updated with a bronze line that marks the summer solstice every 21 June. For over 500 years, this has been the most accurate astronomical instrument in the world. The rays descending from a hole drilled in the dome create an image of the solar disk that overlaps the one on the floor. It also served to monitor the stability of the church.

The two sacristies also overlook the choir, and their doors are decorated with glazed terracotta in white and blue. In one of these sacristies, Lorenzo the Magnificent took refuge in 1478 when the Pazzi conspiracy occurred, as the Pazzi were bitter enemies of the Medici.

The church was the scene of many other important events. For example, Girolamo Savonarola used it for his sermons against rampant immorality, moral decline, and the ostentation of wealth.

CRYPT OF THE DUOMO AND SANTA REPARATA

The underground area of the Florence Cathedral houses Roman remains and those of the Church of Santa Reparata. The saint became Florence’s patroness following the Florentines’ victory over the Ostrogoths. The events occurred on 8 October, 406, the day dedicated to this saint. The city’s bishop, Saint Zenobius, who also became a saint, proclaimed her the city’s patron saint, and to this day, she shares this role with Saint John the Baptist.