Florence Cathedral

Florence Cathedral is a Gothic-style Roman Catholic Church in Italy that dates back to the fourteenth century. It is also known as the Basilica di Santa Maria del Flore (Saint Mary of the Flower) or the Duomo (dome). The latter name refers to the cathedral’s most distinctive feature, a large dome on the east end of the structure. The cathedral was designed and begun without any clear idea of how the large dome could be built, and for decades it was incomplete. When a way to create the dome was finally devised, it was so revolutionary that the cathedral is often considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Background

A cathedral is a large church associated with a particular bishop. Florence Cathedral was built on the site of an earlier and much smaller church. Santa Reparata was built sometime between the fourth and sixth centuries. This church, which was the original cathedral in Florence, was itself built on the site of two earlier churches. Its remains now house a museum. The site is considered important by archeologists because it provides insight into the art, architecture, geography, and history of Florence.

The plans to build Florence Cathedral were approved by a committee in 1293. The cathedral was designed by Italian sculptor and architect Arnolfo di Cambio (c. 1245–1302) to be a much larger structure than the previous church, with an impressive dome at its highest point.

At the time, Europe was in the midst of a church-building boom. Cities across the continent were in an informal competition with each other to build the largest, most spectacular church. Those responsible for the Florence Cathedral wanted a church that differed from the other squared-off Gothic-style buildings with large buttresses, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, that were being built around the same time. As a result, the Florence Cathedral was designed in the style of the Pantheon and other buildings constructed by the Ancient Romans. It was to include a dome, like the large concrete domes featured in many of those buildings.

However, the technology to build such a dome had been lost to time. When the main portion of the Florence Cathedral was finished in 1367, the dome was left incomplete because no one knew how to build it. By 1421, a large polygonal base for the dome had been constructed. However, the area above it was either left open to the air or covered with temporary flat roofs while officials tried to figure out how to create the kind of dome they desired.

Officials tried for eighty years to find someone with a design for the cathedral dome. Finally, they decided to have a public competition for a design that would be feasible and affordable. Most of the designs included wood, which was not impractical. Only one contestant contributed a design that used stone instead of wood.

Florence-born Fillippo Brunelleschi (1377–1446) was a goldsmith who had been the first runner-up in an earlier competition to design the large bronze doors for the cathedral’s baptistry. He was a driven man who wanted to be part of the cathedral project even though he had no prior experience with architecture. Brunelleschi first challenged the cathedral committee to stand an egg on end. When they failed, he demonstrated how to make something shaped like a dome stand by smashing off the bottom of the egg and standing the remaining portion of the shell. The committee was not completely convinced but agreed to let him proceed.

Overview

Brunelleschi’s dome design became the most iconic part of the Florence Cathedral. He used an innovative design that included bricks set into a herringbone pattern with inverted arches for an inner dome and an exterior coating of roofing tiles. Between the two is a space large enough to house a staircase that allows visitors to climb 436 steps to the top. Begun in 1420 and completed in 1436, the dome is still the largest brick dome ever built.

When it was originally completed in 1367, the cathedral was mostly covered in marble. The dome was incomplete, and the building’s front facade was not fully covered. The facade would not be completed until the nineteenth century, when cathedral officials completed the dome and embellished other areas of the cathedral.

The cathedral is 502 feet (153 meters) long and measures between 125 feet (38 meters) at its narrowest point and 300 feet (90 meters) at its widest portion. Like many churches, the cathedral is shaped like a cross. It covers a total area of 89,340 square feet (8,300 square meters). The inside of the church is mostly about 75 feet (23 meters) high, while the dome reaches a height of about 376 feet (114.5 meters).

The interior of the cathedral’s dome is decorated with a large fresco depicting the Final Judgment, which was painted by Giorgio Vasari (1511–1574) and Fredrico Zuccari (d. 1609). In addition to its dome, the cathedral has a number of other notable features. The bell tower was designed by Giotto di Bondone (d. 1337). The Italian painter also completed several reliefs in the bell tower area. These depict Bible stories, the solar system, the Christian sacraments, and representations of various arts and sciences.

Numerous other famed artists of the period contributed stained glass and sculptures, including Donatello (1386–1466), Andrea del Castagno (1423–1457), Palo Uccello (1397–1475), and Antonio del Pollaiolo (1429–1498). Another famed feature is the Porta della Mandorla, an almond-shaped opening that surrounds a sculpture of the Virgin Mary by Nanni di Banco (d. 1421).

The cathedral is also known for a set of large bronze doors. Dome designer Brunelleschi’s entry for the door’s design was the first runner-up. However, his humanistic version was rejected in favor of a design created by fellow metalsmith Lorenzo Ghiberti (1381–1455). The famed Renaissance artist Michelangelo (1475–1564) likened Ghiberti’s design to doors that might be seen at the entrance to paradise.

Bibliography

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Crowell, Nikki. “17 Interesting Facts About Florence Cathedral.” Culture Trip, 28 May 2024, theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/16-interesting-facts-about-florence-cathedral/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

“The Duomo.” National Geographic, www.nationalgeographic.org/media/duomo/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

“Fillippo Brunelleschi.” Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/brunelleschi.html. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

“Inside Florence’s Cathedral, the Duomo.” Visit Florence, www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/duomo.html. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

Mueller, Tom. “Brunelleschi’s Dome.” National Geographic, www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2014/02/Il-Duomo/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

“Museum of the Dome.” Il Grande Museo del Duomo, www.museumflorence.com/monuments/2-dome. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

“Remains of Santa Reparata.” Museems of Florence, www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/florence‗cathedral‗escavat.html. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.