Churches: The Cathedral of Florence (Part 1 of 3)

The Cathedral of Florence is in the center of the city.  In Italian, it is called the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, or simply Il Duomo. 

The existing building was started more than 700 years ago and substantially completed in 1436.  The building is massive.  Standing near it, we can actually feel its size.  The dome of the cathedral dominates the Florence skyline.  The view from the top is breathtaking.  

We recently visited the cathedral, its ancient crypt, its baptistery and its nearby museum.  The visit has become a highlight of Year 2.  It is a must-see, in our opinion.   

Here are some photos from our visit.

The Cathedral:

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, as seen from the roof of the Cathedral's nearby museum.  The cathedral is largely completed but remains unfinished.   If you look closely at the base of the dome, you will see rough stone.  The design to cover the stone was created but never executed.   

The crown of the cathedral

The photo above shows an original model of the dome, about 10 feet tall.  (The model is located in the nearby museum.)

Another original model of the dome, also located in the museum

A modern model of the cathedral, baptistery and bell tower, on display in the cathedral. 

Construction tools, some originals and some reproductions (in the museum).  With simple tools that were innovative for their time, the workers were able to construct a building that is 375 feet tall and still standing centuries later. 

The interior of the dome

The main altar with the cathedra, the Bishop's chair.

The front entrance (closed) with the clock above

Some of the cathedral's artwork, like the fresco pictured above, remains in the cathedral.  Much of the artwork has been relocated to the nearby museum for conservation and protection.  The fresco above is the Equestrian Monument to Sir John Hawkwood, by Paulo Uccello (1436).  (One view is that the fresco was propaganda--military service in support of Florence has its rewards in this life and the next.)

Still hanging in the cathedral is an original painting by Domenico di Michelino entitled The Comedy Illuminating Florence (La commedia illumine Fierenze) (1465). 

The painting above portrays Dante reading his poetry, the Divine Comedy, with 1400's Florence in the background (right), along with some depictions from the story:  Hell, Mount Purgatory, earthly Paradise, Adam and Eve, and celestial spheres (upper middle).  Because some of the sinners in Hell resembled powerful Florentines, Dante left Florence to avoid being punished or killed.  He never returned and died in exile in Ravenna in 1321.

Next Up:  The museum and its treasures.