The Basilica de Santa Maria della Fiore was begun in 1296 and finished in 1436. The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the cathedral, baptistery, and campanile (bell tower). The cathedral is the 4th largest in the world and until recently, the dome was the largest in the world and is still the largest brick dome ever built.
The cathedral is built as a basilica with a center nave and four bays, each with a center aisle. The whole plan forms a Latin cross and it is 502 feet long, 124 feet wide, and 295 high to the top of the dome.
The facade is quite a work. In the late 1800's a contest was held to redesign the facade, and the guy who won made it a bit different than we are used to seeing. It is white, green, and red, and has several different sculptures and artsy stuff. The whole thing is dedicated to the mother of Christ.
Enjoy the pics, Almost to the last city. Hope you are enjoying these.
Shot of the site from a viewpoint on a hill
People on the dome
Baptistery
Bell tower
Facade
Some close ups of the different things on the facade
Bronze doors of the baptistery
Cool clock inside
Floor
Candles
Art inside
Stained glass windows
More art
More windows
Dome
Windows
Candles
More of the inside
I'm so glad we took the time to tour the Cathedral. What a beautiful building, as were all the cathedrals of the Renaissance. Florence will always be one of my favorites. Gotta go back. Thanks for the history of the Cathedral, Chris -- those are the things I forget, or don't listen to the first time! Hope you're feeling better.
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