Florence Part 4: Santa Maria del Fiori, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery

Ok, this is the big one. The church that dominates the Florentine skyline. You can't miss the Duomo if you try. It is beautiful. A little history about the buildings in the square and then, of course, pictures.

Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo)
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore took six centuries to complete. It’s name, Holy Mary of the Flower, is a clear allusion to the lily, the symbol of the city. Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio(1245-1302), one of the greatest architect-sculptors of his age, it was erected around the ancient Cathedral of Santa Reparata, which was torn down as soon as the new building was roofed over, its remains, as well as the tombs of Giotto and Brunelleschi, can be visited from the interior.

Filippo Brunelleschi completed the Cathedral in 1436 with the elegant cupola, still considered a marvel of engineering. Brunelleshchi won a competition for its commission in 1418, the dome is egg-shape and was made without scaffolding.

In 1572 Giorgio Vasari started to paint the frescoes of the cupola of the Cathedral, drawing inspiration from the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel. He died in 1574 after having carried out only a third of the work, and Frederico Zuccari, completed the project. The frescoes have been scrupulously restored, and it is now possible to appreciate the power of the cycle.

The façade of the church was completed in the 19th century.

Clock by Paolo Uccello 1443 – in line with the ora italica, according to which the 24th hour of the day ends at sunset.

Giotto Bell Tower
Built on a square plan, the Giotto Bell Tower rises on the right of the Cathedral. It was designed and built by the great artist in the last years of his life 1334-1337 and completed by Fancesco Talenti in 1359. Faced in priceless green, red, and white marbles, it is decorated with 56 bas-relief titles by Adrea Pisano and Luca Della Robbia. 413 steps lead up to the panoramic terrace.

Baptistery
Faced in green and white marble and a masterpiece of Florentine Romanesque art, the octagonal-shaped Baptistery (1128) is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, Patron Saint of the city. According to tradition, it was founded in Roman times. In 12th century the original sandstone of the external revestment was covered with Green Prato and white Carrara and marble inlay: the final result is a prototype for Romanesque architecture. The splendid doors are the work of Pisano and Ghiberti.