When it comes to Florence, Italy, the most wonderful thing is the works of art that are everywhere. One of the highlights of Florence is the churches with pointed roofs and typical architecture. Among them, the most notable building is the marble Florence Cathedral. This is the 4th largest church in Europe.
If Florence is said to be the cradle of the Renaissance, then the Florence Cathedral is the pride of this period. The full name of this church is Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral of Saint Mary of a Hundred Flowers). The church is a unique architectural complex in the Gothic style, which is a popular architectural style that can be found anywhere in Florence.
Occupying most of the area of Piazza Del Duomo, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral consists of a magnificently decorated cathedral, adorned with pink, blue, and white stone slabs combined with diverse and meticulous decorative motifs, a giant dome made of red bricks and an 85 m high bell tower, built in 1334 and completed in 1359. From afar, in addition to its solemn and ancient beauty, the Duomo Cathedral also looks like a magnificent castle of a distant fairy kingdom.
Inside the cathedral are 44 stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments and outstanding frescoes by Italian masters. Also impressive is the giant clock above the entrance to the cathedral. Designed in 1443, the clock is one of the last examples of the hora italica, a 24-hour clock whose last hour of the day falls at sunset.
The plans for the cathedral were first drawn up by the 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 the most important was Filippo Brunelleschi, who designed the dome. With a diameter of 45.5 m, the dome was 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 dome’s 463 steps (no elevator) for a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
Today, Santa Maria del Fiore is a must-see when visiting Florence. The church is open (free) every day except January 6 (Epiphany). While lines can be long, they usually move quickly. If you are in a group of more than four people, you may want to pick up an audio or radio guide.
