The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was consecrated in 1436. It is the fifth largest church in Europe. Its dome from the year1463, dominates the city with 91 meters height. It is remarkable not only for its height, but also for the fresco that covers its interior, representing the Last Judgment, done in part by Vasari (1574).

Its elegant bell tower was begun by Giotto in 1334 and finished in 1359. Covered with multicolored marbles, it measures 85 meters height.

The baptistery (12th) with its bronze doors contains frescoes representing the last judgment.

History of the cathedral building

The Duomo of Florence was built from 1294 by Arnolfo di Cambio on the foundations of the church Santa Reparata. The work was continued by Giotto, Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti.

With the completion of the dome by Brunelleschi, the church of Santa Maria del Fiore was consecrated in 1436 by Pope Eugene IV. The facade was still unfinished. The latter was demolished in 1578.
Despite numerous contests, no reconstruction project was born. It was in 1871 that the project of Emilio de Fabris was chosen.
It was only in 1887 that the Duomo was finally completed, 600 years after the beginning of its construction.

Description of the cathedral of Florence

The Cathedral of Florence is the fifth largest church in Europe, with an interior 153 meter long, aisles wide about 38 meters, and a 90 meter high sanctuary … [read more]

Gallery

Map

Into the same category

• Florence
  Florence is the capital of Tuscany, where live nearly 375,000 inhabitants, and crosses the river Arno. It is, along with Venice and Rome, one of the most important art cities ...
• Interactive map of Florence
  Into the same category
• Visit Florence
  To discover Florence properly, it needs at least 3 days. One can easily visit by foot, the historical center isn’t very extended. It is especially the Renaissance which has left the ...
• Tickets and tours in Florence
  Into the same category
• Palazzo Vecchio
  Palazzo Vecchio, one of the most beautiful buildings in Florence, is situated in Piazza della Signoria. It is nowadays the Town Hall of Florence, but also a museum where ...
• Ponte Vecchio
  The Ponte Vecchio was built in 1345, designed by Taddeo Gaddi who was a pupil of Giotto. It is located at the narrowest point of the Arno where it ...
• Piazza della Signoria
  For centuries this square has been the heart of the Florentine social life. Numerous sculptures recall the events that took place in the city, such as the festivals, revolts, ...
• Churches in Florence
  Basilica Santa Croce The church of Santa Croce is in Gothic style. Completed in 1294, it is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Several of its chapels are decorated with ...
• Museums in Florence
  Uffizi Gallery The construction of the gallery was completed in 1580 by Vasari. Inside, the Medicis exhibited their important collections of works of art. The museum includes many famous Italian Renaissance paintings ...
• Hotels in Florence
  Hotels in Florence
• Weather in Florence
  Weather forecast in Florence 5 days Detailled weather forecast in Florence   Into the same category