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When mentioning Florence, Italy, the most wonderful thing is the abundance of artwork everywhere. One of Florence's highlights is its churches with pointed arches and distinctive architecture. Among them, the most notable is the Florence Cathedral, made of marble. It is the fourth largest cathedral in Europe.
If Florence is considered the cradle of the Renaissance, then Florence Cathedral is the pride of that era. Its full name is Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Hundred Flowers). The cathedral is a unique architectural complex in the Gothic style, a popular style found throughout Florence.
Occupying a large portion of Piazza del Duomo, the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral comprises a magnificently decorated sanctuary adorned with pink, blue, and white stone slabs combined with diverse and intricate decorative motifs, a massive dome made of red brick, and an 85-meter-high bell tower. It was built between 1334 and 1359. From afar, beyond its solemn and ancient beauty, the Duomo resembles a magnificent castle from some distant fairytale kingdom.
Inside the cathedral are 44 stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments and outstanding frescoes by Italian masters. Additionally, it is impressive for the enormous clock at the cathedral's entrance. Designed in 1443, this clock is one of the last examples of the hora italica, a 24-hour clock where the last hour of the day falls at sunset.
The church's construction plans were first outlined by architect Arnolfo di Cambio in 1294, and construction began two years later. The building was consecrated in 1436, after contributions from several other architects. Arguably, Filippo Brunelleschi played the most significant role, designing the dome. At 45.5 meters in diameter, the dome is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, and remains the largest brick and mortar dome in the world to this day. If you can climb the 463 steps (no elevator) of the dome, you'll enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city.
Today, Santa Maria del Fiore is a must-see destination when visiting Florence. The church is open (free of charge) daily, except on January 6th (Epiphany). Although the lines can be long, they usually move quickly. If you will be going in a group of more than four people, you may need to get an audio or radio guide.
