Churches: The Cathedral of Florence (Part 2 of 3)

The Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo):

In the past, the cathedral housed all of its original artworks.  Over time, many of the masterpieces were moved to a museum next door.  The goal has been to protect and restore the cathedral's artwork, some of which was damaged over time by environmental conditions (a humid and sooty cathedral). 

The museum is a stone's throw from the cathedral.  The location once housed the workshops for the cathedral's construction and later a theater.  A museum was first constructed and opened in 1891.  A recent renovation makes the museum a modern venue to view the collection.   

Let's take a look at some of the collection.

In a large hall, the first façade of the cathedral has been recreated according to its original design (below).   It is as wonderful as the current façade, which is the third façade. 

Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise (below) once served as the main doors to the baptistery of the cathedral.  They have been moved to the museum and beautifully restored.  (The two other doors of the baptistery are also now housed in the museum, but one is currently being restored elsewhere.)

Above the three doors of the baptistery are sculptures depicting the life of John the Baptist.  In the photo below (bottom left), Salome gets her way as the executioner's sword starts its deadly stroke.

Below is a statue of Saint Reparata, a saint revered in Florence.  Reparata was tough.  She was a young Christian girl living in Palestine during the 3rd century.  She was persecuted for her faith.   When her captors tried to burn her alive, a rain shower put out the fire.  When boiling tar was put down her throat, she survived and proclaimed her faith.  Finally, she was beheaded. 

While Saint Reparata never lived in Florence, it is believed that she intervened in 405 or 406 to defeat northern invaders and save Florence.  The legend is that a church was named in her honor.  That church was located the cathedral now stands.  Remnants of the earlier church, which dates from around the 4th century, still exist (more about that in Part 3).  The earlier church was built on the foundation of an even earlier Roman building that stood on the site. 

 A reliquary with a relic, a piece of the cross

One of many sculptures that adorned the cathedral's bell tower (the Giotto Campanile).  Above are Socrates and Plato.

More sculptures:  Faith, Hope and Charity

The creation of Eve

Statues from the façade of the cathedral 

The "Silver Altar", created in pieces over a century

Michelangelo's last Pieta, the Pieta Bandini (1547-1555), sculpted near the end of his life.  The sculpture features an aged Michelangelo (top center)

Next Up:  The Baptistery and Crypt.