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]

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