Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore has become the hallmark of Florence. The ancient and majestic Cathedral of St. Mary impresses with its huge size, beauty and luxury of decoration, solemn austerity of interior decoration. It is located on the main Cathedral square of the capital of the Tuscany region and belongs to the architectural masterpieces of the Florentine Quattrocento. It is famous for its huge brick dome, unusual and innovative for the 15th century.

The history of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral

The construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore began on the site where the church of St. Reparata used to be located. By the end of the 13th century, it began to deteriorate, and could not accommodate all the parishioners of the rapidly growing Florence. The cathedral was supposed to confirm the prosperity of the city, and its size surpassed the cathedrals of Florence's main rivals, the cities of Pisa and Siena.

The construction of the temple began in 1296 and lasted about six hundred years, until the end of the 19th century. The latest technologies for that time were used at each stage of construction. The first project was designed by architect Arnolfo di Cambio. The building of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was supposed to have the shape of a cross, with a tall bell tower. A huge dome was to be installed in the middle of the grandiose structure. In 1302, the architect died. There was a forced pause.

Resumption of construction

It began only after the relics of St. Zinovy of Florence were found in the crypt of the old church of St. Reparata. The construction of the cathedral was controlled and financed by the Guild of merchants of Florence. Architect Giotto di Bondone took over the work, and Andrea Pisano was appointed as his assistant. The maestro provided the commission with his project of a 90-meter Campanile bell tower, and a variant of finishing the first tier of the cathedral building. The plague epidemic that swept through Europe in 1348 again postponed the construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore indefinitely. Then the architects Francesco Talenti and Giovanni Di Lappo Ghini worked, who made their own additions to the project.

The main construction work was completed in 1418. Powerful walls and a bell tower were erected. Until 1434, work was underway to erect a unique octagonal dome. The author of the construction project was Filippo Brunelleschi, who developed the design based on the experience of erecting the Roman Pantheon, without using wooden scaffolding. Finishing work began only in the XVI century.

The interior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

It impresses with its solemn severity. Natural lighting is provided by round windows in the upper tier. During the divine service, the church accommodates 30,000 parishioners. The entire space is divided into a central hall and two side naves.

The height of the arches reaches 45 meters. The lancet windows are decorated with stained glass windows. There are many statues and wall paintings in the hall. The huge dome is decorated with multi-row paintings of the 16th century on the themes of the Last Judgment by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. You can visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.