Giotto's Bell Tower
Giotto's bell tower is a reminder of how beautiful the Gothic medieval architecture is. You can verify this by visiting Italy: among the great multitude of cathedrals, towers, baptisteries, you can feel like a small, modest man. In a special place among this splendor is the Giotto bell tower in Florence, the height of the structure is almost 84.5 meters.
History
The past of this extraordinary building is very interesting. Work began in 1298, when Arnolfo di Cambio laid the foundation for the future tower. The founder dies four years later, and the construction of the Giotto Bell Tower stops. After 36 years, the brilliant artist and chief architect of Florence, Giotto di Bondone, continues to build. Having managed to build only the first tier, he dies. Andrea Pisano becomes the successor of the case, but also does not have time to finish the work. The project was completed by Francesco Talenti in 1359. For more than half a century, four craftsmen worked on the construction. Their labor was not in vain. The bell tower is the jewel of Florence.
Description
Giotto's bell tower, which belongs to the cathedral, is mounted on a square pedestal decorated with bas-reliefs of Renaissance artists. Its shape is a four-sided multi-tiered tower. It was originally conceived to be over 100 meters high, but adjustments were made when the construction was completed. There are only a little more than 87 meters left.
The tiers are separated from each other by mosaic inserts made by the Kosmati brothers. Each floor is richly decorated with medallions with bas-reliefs and sculptures. The first one contains images of the seven sacraments and illustrations of biblical subjects. The second is human society in development, from the appearance of man to advanced civilization. The third was decorated with statues of great master sculptors. The fourth tier is also empty, the Biblical prophets in stone have moved to the Duomo Museum. Each tier is equipped with an observation deck. Today, they have binoculars installed to admire the surroundings. Giotto's bell tower is lined with tricolor marble in order to create a common ensemble with the cathedral. The main element - the bells - are placed in a special niche under the feet of people walking.
Giotto's Bell Tower today
The main function has been lost today, because the bell does not ring, but is displayed as a museum exhibit. The entire structure is also the main object of tourist attention, rather than cult significance. Today, you can walk everywhere, even climb to the top platform and enjoy the magnificent views. Of course, this should only be done by those who are not afraid of heights and confined spaces. The 414-step staircase is very narrow, making it inconvenient to move up and down.
The modern look of Giotto's Bell Tower is much more attractive than the original image, but it received its name in honor of the master who gave it the last years of his life. The building embodies the best ideas of Gothic: light lines, delicate exterior decoration, pointed arches, and an entrance that you won't see right away.
