Florence Cathedral: The Myth Under Brunelleschi’s Dome
On a peaceful Sunday in early March, we enter the Florence Cathedral, the symbol of the city and Renaissance art in Italy, thanks to Brunelleschi’s legendary Dome.
This monument needs no introduction; besides its undeniable beauty, it is one of the protagonists of the Florence skyline. And how can one not be enchanted by such architectural perfection?
Enzo is a most welcome guest today, and in this article, he will be our Virgil within one of the most famous monuments in Italy.
On his Blog Inguaribile Viaggiatore, Enzo shares his adventures across Italy and the world with his wife and son, to whom he has taught the importance of exploring places and cultures different from our own to grow with an open mind.
Let’s begin by lifting the more touristy veil of the Florence Cathedral, going beyond what it seems, beyond what the most distracted tourists fail to notice. The whispers and mysteries within its naves.
The Symbol of Art in Florence
Anyone who has studied art, architecture, cinema, or history knows the Florence Cathedral! Also known for the stunning Dome by Filippo Brunelleschi, it immediately raises a question: how did the Florentines of the 14th century create this stunning building? This is one of the many unusual things about Florence that deserve a visit.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore perfectly symbolizes Renaissance Italy. An era that was centuries ago. And yet, somehow, the golden dome of the Cathedral, the Gothic façade, and the grand frescoes still make it seem incredibly current! How does the Florence Cathedral maintain this enduring charm, and why does it inspire hordes of tourists?
After visiting the complex twice, my only conclusion is that the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore allows an intimate access to its interior, the Dome, the museum, the Baptistery, and the Bell Tower. This close proximity, paired with the Cathedral’s construction and history, whispers the secrets and mysteries surrounding the splendid dome and one of the largest frescoes of the Last Judgment in the world.
COSA TROVERAI IN QUESTO POST:
The Florence Cathedral
Florence in the Middle Ages was a rich and important city due to its significant trade agreements. At the time, Italian cities were competing in building ever larger and more important cathedrals.
Completed in 1434, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the fourth largest church in the world. Standing in line to enter, the exterior shouts of its enormity, with a buildable area of 8,300 square meters, a length of 153 meters, and a width of 38 meters!
Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the exterior is still covered with the same colored marbles (white, green, and pink) that the Florentines of the 14th-15th centuries knew.
In fact, the entire building, its structural elements, and the decorative sculptures and frescoes, which are extraordinarily detailed, make it a true work of art, not just a church.
Surprisingly, the interior is quite simple compared to the exterior. The height of the building leaves a great deal of open space, making the space feel almost empty and in stark contrast to the detailed magnificence of the outside.
The Dome of the Florence Cathedral
Known worldwide as the Duomo, the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria remains the greatest architectural pride of the city! Almost six centuries after its completion, the great dome that obsessed its commissioner, Cosimo de Medici, still evokes awe!
A secret until the end, Brunelleschi took to the grave the mysteries surrounding the construction techniques of his dome. We may never know how he or his masons positioned every brick and other structural elements with such precision.
What you see on the outside is actually only the shell of the inner structure, and what you climb is the brick structure by Brunelleschi with 436 steps. Climbing the stairs, I felt as though I was climbing into the sky. This was especially evident when the Last Judgment fresco was within reach.
Brunelleschi’s use of sandstone and marble to shape the dome is stunning. As you climb to the top, you’ll see the original herringbone brickwork and some of the original scaffolding used by the workers.
If that’s not enough, standing at the top of the Duomo offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Florence! This view, with its terracotta tiles and the soft Tuscan hills, is stunning!
Giotto’s Bell Tower
Giotto’s Bell Tower is another of Florence’s iconic symbols. It’s also a splendid example of 14th-century Florentine Gothic architecture.
Usually, the Florence Cathedral is admired from below upwards; however, from the top of the Bell Tower, you get a unique perspective of the city, where you can also admire the Cathedral and Brunelleschi’s fabulous dome.
Not only does the spectacular view attract the eye of tourists, but the engravings present in the Bell Tower magnificently tell the Christian doctrine, the concept of universal order, the history of Redemption, Creation, the influence of the Planets on life, and the virtues of Man!
Finally, the statues, depicting famous artists, including Andrea Pisano and Donatello!
The Baptistery
The Baptistery is the oldest religious site in Florence and has a history steeped in myth. According to the locals, in the Middle Ages, the Florentines believed it to be an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the cult of Mars. However, it is now dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence.
It’s easy to recall Dante’s words in the Divine Comedy, where he described it as “my beautiful Saint John.” Indeed, the octagonal shape and the marble exterior with geometric patterns enchant. These, along with the use of white Carrara marble and green Prato marble, are lasting reminders of Romanesque and early Christian architecture from the 11th-13th centuries.
The Baptistery is famous for its three grand doors, renowned for their sculptures and bas-reliefs. They are among the most important ever created in Tuscany. Andrea Pisano created the southern doors in the 1300s, while Lorenzo Ghiberti created the northern and eastern doors around 1400.
The southern doors feature 28 quatrefoil panels depicting scenes from the life of Saint John. The eight lower panels depict the eight virtues of hope, faith, charity, humility, fortitude, temperance, justice, and prudence. The three-dimensional, shimmering quality of these lower panels is stunning and captivates the viewer.
The Museum of the Opera del Duomo
The Republic of Florence funded the Museum of the Opera del Duomo in 1296 to oversee the construction of the Bell Tower and Cathedral. Since then, its role has been to preserve these monuments.
In 1891, the museum began housing over 750 works of art that had been moved from the Cathedral and Baptistery. The museum’s structure allows you to experience the life of the Cathedral from past to present, seeing how it has changed over the years.
The charm of the Florence Cathedral is timeless, the long years of its construction, the sleepless nights of its creator and the artists, will forever remain legend.
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