The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church, or Duomo, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence, noted for its distinctive dome. Its rear (which translates equally “Saint Mary of the Flower”) refers to the lily, symbol of Florence, or to the onetime town rear Fiorenza. But a 15th c. document on the other paw states that the “flower” refers to Christ.
The cathedral complex includes the church building proper, the Battistero di San Giovanni (Florence), built inwards Florence after Santa Croce in addition to Santa Maria Novella.
History
It was built on the site of a previous cathedral, Santa Reparata, prompted past times the magnificence of the novel cathedrals inwards Pisa in addition to Siena. At the halt of the 13th century, the ix centuries onetime church building of Santa Reparata was crumbling alongside age, equally attested inwards documents of that time. Furthermore, it was becoming likewise small-scale inwards a flow of rapid population expansion. Prosperous Florence wanted to surpass inwards grandeur its Tuscan rivals Pisa in addition to Siena alongside a most magnificent church, grander inwards size in addition to to a greater extent than richly adorned at the exterior. This cathedral was, equally a result, the largest inwards Europe when it was completed, alongside room for 30,000 people. It is right away exclusively exceeded inwards size past times Saint Peter’s Basilica inwards the Vatican, Saint Paul’s Cathedral inwards London in addition to the Milan Cathedral.
It was built on the site of a previous cathedral, Santa Reparata, prompted past times the magnificence of the novel cathedrals inwards Pisa in addition to Siena. At the halt of the 13th century, the ix centuries onetime church building of Santa Reparata was crumbling alongside age, equally attested inwards documents of that time. Furthermore, it was becoming likewise small-scale inwards a flow of rapid population expansion. Prosperous Florence wanted to surpass inwards grandeur its Tuscan rivals Pisa in addition to Siena alongside a most magnificent church, grander inwards size in addition to to a greater extent than richly adorned at the exterior. This cathedral was, equally a result, the largest inwards Europe when it was completed, alongside room for 30,000 people. It is right away exclusively exceeded inwards size past times Saint Peter’s Basilica inwards the Vatican, Saint Paul’s Cathedral inwards London in addition to the Milan Cathedral.
The novel church building was designed past times Arnolfo di Cambio inwards 1296 to live the largest Roman Catholic church building inwards the the world (although the blueprint was altered several times in addition to subsequently reduced inwards size). Arnolfo di Cambio was also the famous architect of the church building of Santa Croce in addition to the Palazzo Vecchio. He designed 3 broad naves ending nether the octogonal dome, alongside the middle nave roofing the surface of Santa Reparata. The commencement rock was set on September 9, 1296 past times primal Valeriana, the commencement papal legate e'er sent to Florence. The edifice of this vast projection was to final 170 years, the collective efforts of several generations.
After Arnolfo died inwards 1302, travel on the cathedral slowed or was suspended during xxx years. The edifice drive got a novel impetus, when the relics of San Zanobius were discovered inwards 1330 inwards San Reparata. In 1331, the Arte della Lana (Guild of Wool Merchants) took over the exclusive patronage for the construction of the cathedral in addition to inwards 1334 they appointed Giotto equally overseer for the work. Assisted past times Andrea Pisano, he continued along di Cambio’s design. His major accomplishment was the edifice campanile, but he died inwards 1337. Andrea Pisano continued the building, until he was stopped past times the Black Plague inwards 1348.
It was non until 1349 that travel resumed on the cathedral itself nether a serial of architects, starting alongside Francesco Talenti, who finished the belltower in addition to enlarged the overall projection alongside the apse in addition to the side chapels, but did non alter the outside. After 1359 he was succeeded past times Giovanni di Lapo Ghini (1360–1369) who divided the centre nave inwards 4 foursquare bays. Other architects were Alberto Arnoldi, Giovanni d’Ambrogio, Neri di Fioravante in addition to Orcagna. By 1375 the onetime church building Santa Reparata was pulled down. The nave was finished past times 1380, in addition to past times 1418 exclusively the dome was left uncompleted.
The walls are covered inwards alternate vertical in addition to horizontal bands alongside many-colored marble from Carrara (white), Prato (green), Siena (red), Lavenza in addition to a few other places. These marble bands had to repeat the decorations of the Baptistery in addition to Giotto’s belltower. There are 2 lateral door, the Doors of the Canonici (south side) in addition to the Door of the Mandorla (north side) alongside industrial plant of fine art of Nanni di Banco Donatello in addition to Jacopo della Quercia. The vi lateral windows, notable for their fragile tracery in addition to ornaments, are separated past times pilasters. Only the 4 windows, closest to the transept, acknowledge light; The other 2 are only ornamental. The clerestory windows are round, a mutual characteristic inwards Italian Gothic. The flooring of the church building was set inwards marble inwards the 16th century.
During its long history, this cathedral has been the spot of the Council of Florence (1439), heard the preachings of Girolamo Savonarola in addition to witnessed the murder of Giuliano de’ Medici on 26 Apr 1478 (with Lorenzo the Magnifico barely escaping death).
Dome
The 42 m-wide dome had originally a wooden dome, built past times Arnolfo di Cambio. The edifice of a rock cupola over the chancel posed many technical problems. There existed already a brick model from 1367 for the dome (as related inwards the “Life of Brunelleschi” past times Antonio Manetti, ca. 1480)
The 42 m-wide dome had originally a wooden dome, built past times Arnolfo di Cambio. The edifice of a rock cupola over the chancel posed many technical problems. There existed already a brick model from 1367 for the dome (as related inwards the “Life of Brunelleschi” past times Antonio Manetti, ca. 1480)
In 1419 a contest was held to blueprint a novel dome (or cupola) for the cathedral. The 2 principal competitors were Lorenzo Ghiberti (famous for his travel on the “Gates of Paradise” doors at the Baptistery) in addition to Filippo Brunelleschi.
Brunelleschi drew his inspiration from double-walled cupola of the Pantheon inwards Rome. He constructed a wooden in addition to brick model alongside the assist of Donatello in addition to Nanni di Banco (on display inwards the Museum Opera del Duomo). Brunelleschi won past times a nose. His model served equally a guide for the craftsmen, but was intentionally incomplete, equally to ensure his command over the construction.
Brunelleschi’s solutions were ingenious in addition to unprecedented: the distinctive octagonal blueprint of the double-walled dome, resting on a drum in addition to non on the roof itself, allowed for the entire dome to live built without the ask for scaffolding from the ground.
This enormous construction weighs 37,000 metric tons in addition to contains over 4 1000000 bricks. He made several models in addition to drawings of details during the construction. Brunelleschi had to invent special hoisting machines in addition to lewissons for hoisting large stones. These specially designed machines in addition to bright masonry techniques were Brunelleschi’s spectacular contribution to architecture. The mightiness to transcribe a circle on a cone confront within the innermost double shelled wall makes the self-sustaining “horizontal” arch construction possible, since geometrically, a circular programme is needed for such an erection.
The dome also used horizontal reinforcements of tension chains of rock in addition to Fe – paving agency to the imaginations of Fe in addition to steel structural reinforcements, such equally reinforced concrete inwards subsequently centuries.
Ghiberti, appointed coadjutator, mocked these plans in addition to called them unfeasible. Brunelleschi, deeply offended, in addition to hence pretended a sickness in addition to left for Rome, giving the projection inwards the hands of Ghiberti. But Ghiberti before long had to recognize that the whole projection was beyond him. In 1423 Brunelleschi was dorsum inwards accuse in addition to took over sole responsibility.
Work started on the dome inwards 1420 in addition to was completed inwards 1436. The cathedral was consecrated past times Pope Eugene IV on March 25, 1436 (the commencement twenty-four hours of the year, according to the Florentine calendar). It was the commencement ‘octagonal’ dome inwards history (The Roman Pantheon, a circular dome, was built inwards 118-128 C.E. without back upwardly structures) to live built without a wooden supporting frame, in addition to was the largest dome built at the fourth dimension (it is notwithstanding the largest masonry dome inwards the world). It had been ane of the most impressive projects of the Renaissance.
Brunelleschi’s mightiness to crown the dome alongside a lantern was questioned in addition to he had to undergo some other competition. He was declared the winner over his competitors Lorenzo Ghiberti in addition to Antonio Ciaccheri. His blueprint was for an octogonal lantern alongside 8 radiating buttresses in addition to 8 high arched windows (now on display inwards the Museum Opera del Duomo). Construction of the lantern was begun a few months earlier his decease inwards 1446. Then, during 25 years, it got stuck in addition to didn’t brand much progress due to alterations past times several architects. Finally it was completed past times his friend Michelozzo inwards 1461. The conical roof was crowned alongside a gilded copper ball in addition to cross, containing holy relics, past times Verrocchio inwards 1469. He had used a hoisting machine specially designed past times Leonardo da Vinci. This brings the total peak of the dome in addition to lantern to 114.5 metres. This copper ball was struck past times lightning on 17 July 1600 in addition to savage down. It was replaced past times an fifty-fifty larger ane 2 years later.
The decorations of the drum gallery past times Baccio d’Agnolo were never finished after beingness disapproved past times no ane less than Michelangelo.
H5N1 huge statue of Brunelleschi right away sits exterior the Palazzo dei Canonici inwards the Piazza del Duomo, looking thoughtfully upwardly towards his greatest achievement, the dome that would forever dominate the panorama of Florence. Only 150 years subsequently would this dome live surpassed past times Michelangelo’s dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica inwards the Vatican City.
The edifice of the cathedral had started inwards 1296 alongside the blueprint of Arnolfo di Cambio in addition to was halted inwards 1469 alongside the copper ball on the lantern past times Verrocchio. But the facade was notwithstanding unfinished in addition to would stay hence for a long time.
Façade
The original façade, designed past times Arnolfo di Cambio in addition to commonly attributed to Giotto, was genuinely begun xx years after Giotto’s death. H5N1 mid-15th c. pen-and-ink drawing of this so-called Giotto’s facade is visible inwards the Codex Rustici, in addition to inwards the drawing of Bernardino Poccetti inwards 1587, both on display inwards the Museum of the Opera del Duomo. This façade was the collective travel of several artists, amid them Andrea Orcagna in addition to Taddeo Gaddi. This original façade was exclusively completed inwards its lower share in addition to and hence left unfinished. It was dismantled inwards 1587-1588 past times the Medici courtroom architect Bernardo Buontalenti, ordered past times Grand Duke Francesco I de’ Medici, equally it appeared totally outmoded inwards Renaissance times. Some of the original sculptures are on display inwards the Museum Opera del Duomo, behind the cathedral. Others are right away inwards the Berlin Museum in addition to inwards the Louvre. The contest for a novel façade turned out into a huge corruption scandal. The wooden model for the façade of Buontalenti is on display inwards the Museum Opera del Duomo. H5N1 few novel designs take away maintain been proposed inwards subsequently years but the models (of Giovanni Antonio Dosio, Giovanni de’ Medici alongside Alessandro Pieroni in addition to Giambologna) were non accepted. The façade was in addition to hence left bare until the 19th century.
In 1864 a contest was held to blueprint a novel façade in addition to was won past times Emilio De Fabris (1808-1883) inwards 1871. Work was begun inwards 1876 in addition to completed inwards 1887. This neo-gothic façade inwards white, greenish in addition to ruby marble forms a harmonious entity alongside the cathedral, Giotto’s belltower in addition to the Baptistery, but it is excessively decorated.
The whole façade is dedicated to the Mother of Christ.
The 3 huge bronze doors engagement from 1899 to 1903. They are adorned alongside scenes from the life of the Madonna. The mosaics inwards the lunettes higher upwardly the doors were designed past times Niccolò Barabino. They correspond (from left to right): Charity amid the founders of Florentine philantropic institutions, Christ enthroned alongside Mary in addition to John the Baptist, Florentine artisans, merchants in addition to humanists paying homage to the Faith. The pediment higher upwardly the telephone commutation portal contains a half-relief past times Tito Sarrocchi of Mary enthroned belongings a flowered scepter
On top of the façade is a serial of niches alongside the twelve Apostles with, inwards the middle, the Madonna alongside Child. Between the rose windowand the tympanum, in that location is a gallery alongside busts of cracking Florentine artists.
Interior
The cathedral is built equally a basilica, alongside a nave in addition to 2 aisles, forming a Roman cross. The nave in addition to the aisles are divided past times broad pointed arches alongside composite pilasters, dividing the nave into 4 foursquare bays.
The cathedral is built equally a basilica, alongside a nave in addition to 2 aisles, forming a Roman cross. The nave in addition to the aisles are divided past times broad pointed arches alongside composite pilasters, dividing the nave into 4 foursquare bays.
Its dimensions are enormous: length 153 m (about 500 ft.), width 38 m (128 ft.), width at the crossing xc m (almost 300 ft.). The peak of the arches inwards the aisles is 23 m (75 ft.). The heigth from pavement to the opening of the lantern inwards the dome is also xc m (300 ft).
The Gothic interior is cavernous in addition to gives an empty impression. The relative bareness of the church building corresponds alongside the austerity of religious life, equally preached past times Girolamo Savonarola.
Many decorations inwards the church building take away maintain been lost inwards the course of written report of time, or take away maintain been transferred to the Museum Opera del Duomo, such equally the magnificent cantorial pulpits (the singing galleries for the choristers) of Luca della Robbia in addition to Donatello.
As this cathedral was built alongside funds from the public, some of import industrial plant of fine art inwards this church building honour illustrious men in addition to armed services leaders of Florence :
Dante in addition to the Divine Comedy past times Domenico di Michelino (1465). This icon is especially interesting because it shows us, apart from scenes of the Divine Comedy, a sentiment on Florence inwards 1465, a Florence such equally Dante himself couldn’t take away maintain seen inwards his time.
Equestrian statue of John Hawkwood past times Paolo Uccello (1436). This almost monochrome fresco, transferred on canvass inwards the 19th c., is painted inwards terra verde, a color closest to the patina of bronze.
Equestrian statue of John Hawkwood past times Paolo Uccello (1436). This almost monochrome fresco, transferred on canvass inwards the 19th c., is painted inwards terra verde, a color closest to the patina of bronze.
Equestrian statue of Niccolò da Tolentino past times Andrea del Castagno (1456). This fresco, transferred on canvass inwards the 19th c., inwards the same trend equally the previous one, is painted inwards a color resembling marble. However it is to a greater extent than richly decorated in addition to gives to a greater extent than the impression of movement.
Both frescos portray the condottieri equally heroic figures riding triumphantically. Both painters had problems when applying inwards icon the novel rules of perspective to foreshortening : they used 2 unifying points, ane for the Equus caballus in addition to ane for the pedestal, instead a unmarried unifying point.
Both frescos portray the condottieri equally heroic figures riding triumphantically. Both painters had problems when applying inwards icon the novel rules of perspective to foreshortening : they used 2 unifying points, ane for the Equus caballus in addition to ane for the pedestal, instead a unmarried unifying point.
Busts of Giotto (by Benedetto da Maiano), Brunelleschi (by Buggiano – 1447), Marsilio Ficino, in addition to Antonio Squarcialupi (a most famous organist). These busts all engagement from the 15th in addition to the 16th century.
Above the principal door is the colossal clock confront alongside fresco portraits of 4 Prophets or Evangelists past times Paolo Uccello (1443). This one-handed liturgical clock shows the 24 hours of the hora italica (Italian time), a flow of fourth dimension ending alongside sunset at 24 hours. This timetable was used till the 18th century. This is ane of the few clocks from that fourth dimension that notwithstanding be in addition to are inwards working order.
Above the principal door is the colossal clock confront alongside fresco portraits of 4 Prophets or Evangelists past times Paolo Uccello (1443). This one-handed liturgical clock shows the 24 hours of the hora italica (Italian time), a flow of fourth dimension ending alongside sunset at 24 hours. This timetable was used till the 18th century. This is ane of the few clocks from that fourth dimension that notwithstanding be in addition to are inwards working order.
The church building is specially notable for its 44 stained drinking glass windows, the largest task of this sort inwards Italy inwards the 14th in addition to 15th century. The windows inwards the aisles in addition to inwards the transept draw saints from the Old in addition to the New Testament, land the circular windows inwards the drum of the dome or higher upwardly the entrance draw Christ in addition to Mary. They are the travel of the greatest Florentine artists of their times, such equally Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Paolo Uccello in addition to Andrea del Castagno.
“Christ crowning Mary equally Queen”, the stained-glass circular window higher upwardly the clock, alongside a rich make of coloring, was designed past times Gaddo Gaddi inwards the early on 1300s.
Donatello designed the stained-glass window (Coronation of the Virgin) inwards the drum of the dome (the exclusively ane that tin flame live seen from the nave).
The beautiful funeral monument of Antonio d’Orso (1323), bishop of Florence, was made past times Tino da Camaino, the most of import funeral sculptor of his time.
The monumental crucifix, behind the Bishop’s Chair at the high altar, is past times Benedetto da Maiano (1495-1497). The choir enclosure is the travel of the famous Bartolommeo Bandinelli. The ten-panelled bronze doors of the sacristy were made past times Luca della Robbia, who has also 2 glazed terra cotta industrial plant within the sacristy: Angel alongside Candlestick in addition to Resurrection of Christ.
In the dorsum of the middle of the 3 apses is the altar of Saint Zanobius, commencement bishop of Florence. Its silverish shrine, a masterpiece of Ghiberti, contains the urn alongside his relics. The telephone commutation compartment shows us ane his miracles, the reviving of a dead child. Above this shrine is the icon Last Supper past times the lesser-known Giovanni Balducci. There was also a glass-paste mosaic panel The Bust of Saint Zanobius past times the 16th c. miniaturist Monte di Giovanni, but it is right away on display inwards the Museum Opera del Duomo.
Many decorations engagement from the 16th century, nether patronage from the Grand Dukes, such equally the pavement inwards colored marble, attributed to Baccio d’Agnolo in addition to Francesco da Sangallo (1520-26). Some pieces of marble from the facade were used, topside down, inwards the flooring (as was shown past times the restoration of the flooring after the 1966 flooding).
At first, it was suggested that the interior of the 45 m-wide dome should live covered alongside a mosaic ornament to brand the most of the available low-cal coming through the circular windows of the drum in addition to through the lantern. Brunelleschi has proposed the vault to glimmer alongside resplendent gold, but his decease inwards 1446 position an halt to this project, in addition to the walls of the dome were whitewashed. Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici decided to take away maintain the dome painted alongside a representation of The Last Judgment. This enormous work, 3,600 foursquare metres of painted surface, was started inwards 1568 past times Giorgio Vasari in addition to Federico Zuccari in addition to would final till 1579. The upper portion, close the lantern, representing The 24 Elders of Apoc. 4 was finished past times Vasari earlier his decease inwards 1574. Frederico Zucchero in addition to a publish of collaborators, such equally Domenico Cresti, finished the other portions : (from top to bottom) Choirs of Angels; Christ, Mary in addition to Saints; Virtues, Gifts of the Holy Spirit in addition to Beatitudes; in addition to at the bottom of the cuppola: Capital Sins in addition to Hell. These frescoes are considered Zuccari’s greatest work. But the character of the travel is uneven because of the input of dissimilar artists in addition to the dissimilar techniques. Vasari had used truthful fresco, land Zuccari had painted inwards secco.
Source: italian-architecture.info
