Churches: The Cathedral of Florence Revisited (Part 4 of 4)

The return visit to the Duomo continues.

 

Next to the cathedral is the campanile, or bell tower.  It is tall, at 278 feet, but not as tall as the cathedral's dome and lantern, at 376 feet.   

The original architect of the cathedral was the experienced Giotto di Bondone.  He started construction n 1334 but lived only three more three years, dying at ripe old age of 70 years, a very long life in the Middle Ages.  He was succeeded by the brilliant Andrea Pisano and then Francesco Talenti.  The bell tower was completed in 1359 after 25 years -- including an interruption due to the Black Death of 1348 (the devastating plague). 

The bell tower's exterior is covered with sculptures and polychromatic marble--white marble from Carrara, green marble from Prato and red marble from Siena.

The bell tower still operates with bells signaling the hours. 

Scaling the 414 steps to the top level rewards the climber with great views of Florence since the height of nearly all other buildings is limited. 

Below is a photographic tour of Giotto's bell tower. 

Giotto's Bell Tower

A staircase inside the bell tower

A view of the bell tower's interior

A view from the top of the bell tower

Another view from the top of the bell tower

A view of the cathedral's dome

Another view of the cathedral.  The cathedral is so close, you can almost reach out and touch it. 

It's always  a good time for a selfie!

It's always a good time for a selfie.

Thanks for joining us on our return visit to Florence's masterpiece, the Duomo.

P.S.  Recently, a base jumper climbed the tower and then safely parachuted to the ground below.  He escaped without being arrested.  You can check out the video here.