Cathedral and Giotto's Belltower Duomo e Campanile di Giotto
Cathedral plan
Click to enlarge
Timetable
Entrance
The typical Italian Gothic building, the Cathedral of Florence, is dedicated to "Santa Maria del Fiore". The church was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (c1245-1302) who considerably enlarged the existing religious structure. Finished around 1367, the Cathedral was completely covered by coloured marbles like the earlier Baptistery, except for the faade that remained unfinished and was terminated only in the 19th century.
The project left unfinished also the Dome, since in 1421 only the frame (polygonal base) had been erected. Two architects, Lorenzo Ghiberti (1368-1445) and Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) won the competition although it was the latter who actually built the dome, showing a great mastery of technical knowledge, in 1436.
One of the most remarkable features of the outside of the building is the socalled "Porta della Mandorla"(north) (della mandorla = almond) that was given this name because of the large aureole around the figure of the Virgin sculptured also by Nanni di Banco (1380/90-1421) among others.
Its interior preserves very important works of art: on the left side we find the first two detached frescoes showing the "Condottiero Giovanni Acuto"and "Niccolò da Tolentino" painted respectively by Paolo Uccello in 1436 and by Andrea del Castagno in 1456. Paolo Uccello also frescoed the clock on the inside wall, showing four vigorous "heads of saints". The many sculptures made specifically for the cathedral (many of which have now been moved to the "Museo dell' Opera del Duomo"), comprise also the "Lunettes" by Luca della Robbia above the doors of the Mass Sacristies. The large "Pietà" by Michelangelo (c. 1553) has instead been removed and transferred to the "Museo dell' Opera del Duomo".
Most of the splendid stained glass windows were made between 1434 and 1455 to the designs of famous artists like Donatello, Andrea del Castagno and Paolo Uccello. The wooden inlays on the Sacristy' s cupboards were designed by Brunelleschi and other artists, including Antonio del Pollaiolo.
The internal walls of the dome, which have recently been restored, were frescoed between 1572 and 1579 by Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) and Federico Zuccari (c. 1540-1609) who represented a large scene of the "Final Judgement".
The bell tower by Giotto remains, together with the hudge dome one of the most striking views of the town. The famous painter, Giotto, was in fact also the architect of the project for the bell tower, although by the time of his death (1337) only the lower part had been completed. The works continued under the direction of Andrea Pisano (c. 1290-1349) and Francesco Talenti (not. 1325-1369) who completed the project.
The Brunelleschi Cupola
The cathedral was completed in 1434
and is the most important landmark in Florence,
as well as being the fourth largest
church in the world.
Giotto's Belltower
View from high of the nave
The nave
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore - facade1880 - 1888
- Porta della Mandorla -
On the North side of the Cathedral, on which numerous artist collabored in the early decades of the 15th century, among them Donatello, Nanni di Banco and Jacopo della Quercia.
Giotto's Belltower1334 - 1359
The reliefs in the lower row depict the
creation of man and woman, the
beginnings of human work, and the "inventors"
(according to the Bible) of various creative activities:
sheep-herding, music, metallurgy, wine-making.
In the upper register are the 7 planets,
beginning with Jupiter at the north corner.
On the other facades, in the lower register
we find astrology, building,
medicine, weaving and other technical and
scientific endeavors.
In the upper registers are: on the south,
the theological and cardinal virtues; on the east,
the liberal arts of the Trivium and Quadrivium;
to the north,the seven sacraments.
The statues in the niches represent
the patriarchs, prophets and kings
of Israel, and pagan sybils.
Altarpiece
Above the main door is the colossal clock face with fresco portraits of four Prophets or Evangelists by Paolo Uccello (1443). This liturgical clock shows the 24 hours of the hora italica (ltalian time), a period of time ending with sunset at 24 hours.
This timetable was used till the 18th century. This is one of the few clocks from that time that still exist and are in working order"
Under the Big Clock, mosaic with the coronation of the Virgin
Inside the cupola: 3600 m2 of frescoes,
created by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari,
who worked there from 1572 to 1579.
The restoration of these ceiling frescos began
in 1978 and was completed in 1994.
Mosaic on the left door by Nicolò Barabino
Florentine artisans, merchants and humanists
paying homage to the Faith
Andrea del Castagno
Nicolò da Tolentino
The winner in 1432 over the troops of the arch-rival, Siena (Fresco)
Paolo Uccello
Sir John Hawkwood
An English mercenary who had commanded
Florentine troops at the end of the 14th century.(Fresco)
Domenico di Michelino
On the left wall, fresco of Dante and the Divine Comedy
(The three kingdoms)
The painting was made in 1465 to commemorate Dante's 200th birthday
On the right side of the square,
Brunelleschi is still looking up at his work. By Luigi Pampaloni - 1830
