Cathedral and Baptistry of Santa Maria del Fiore

in Florence

Overview• Basilica of Saint Mary the Flower or the Duomo• Construction began: 1296 – Architect: Arnolfo di Cambio

• Construction ended: 1436– Architect: Filippo Brunelleschi

• Located in Piazza del Duomo• Includes Baptistry, Giotto’s Campanile, and the

Dome

Facade

Baptistryof St. John

• Constructed between 1059 and 1128• Influenced by architects such as Francesco Talenti,

Leon Battista Alberti, and Filippo Brunelleschi• Three sets of bronze doors: south, north, and east• East doors named “Gates of Paradise” by

Michelangelo

Gates of Paradise

Mosaic CeilingsBaptistry vs. Duomo• Covering of the

Baptistry ceiling led by Franciscan friar Jacopo Torriti

• Vasari's fresco in the Duomo begun in 1568, and completed by Federico Zuccaro in 1579

• Depict Last Judgement• Include biblical stories

of angels, Mary, Christ, Joseph, and John the Baptist

Giotto’s Campanile

• Designed by Giotto• Seven bells• Built by Giotto, Pisano, and Talenti• Completed in 1359

The Dome• Largest dome when completed in

1436• Inner shell and outer shell with

staircase in between leading to thelantern

• Designed byFilippo Brunelleschi

Video

Samantha Brown Passport to Europe – Florence, Italy