The Cathedral or Duomo of Florence as we see it today is the
end result of years of work that covered over six centuries of
history. Its basic architectural project was designed by Arnolfo
di Cambio at the end of the 13th century; the cupola that has
made it a symbol for the whole of Tuscany was created by that
genius of the Renaissance, Filippo Brunelleschi, while the facade
that completed it was carried out as late as the late 19th century.
A whole series of structural and decorative interventions to
both the exterior and the interior that were to enrich the history
of the monument were carried out during this space of time: these
range from the construction of the two sacristies to the 16th
century marble flooring, and from the execution of the sculptures
to the frescoes, signed by Paolo Uccello, Andrea del Castagno,
Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari (the Last Judgement in the
cupola).
The third and last Florentine cathedral (the cathedral is always
the church that is the seat of the bishopric), it was given the
name of Santa Maria del Fiore (Holy Mary of the Flower) in 1412
in clear allusion to the lily symbol of the city. It was built
on top of the second cathedral, which early Christian Florence
had dedicated to Santa Reparata and which remained in activity
for nine centuries, until orders were given to demolish it in
1375: considerable remains of this construction, which was slightly
more than half the size of the present basilica and completed
by two belltowers, can be seen today in the archeological area
underneath the Cathedral.
Brunelleschi drew his inspiration from double-walled cupola of
the Pantheon in Rome. He constructed a wooden and brick model
with the help of Donatello and Nanni di Banco (on display in the
Museum Opera del Duomo). Brunelleschi won by a nose. His model
served as a guide for the craftsmen, but was intentionally incomplete,
as to ensure his control over the construction.
Brunelleschi's solutions were ingenious and unprecedented: the
distinctive octagonal design of the double-walled dome, resting
on a drum and not on the roof itself, allowed for the entire dome
to be built without the need for scaffolding from the ground.
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