It’s the symbol of the city of Florence in the world, portrayed in photographs of millions of tourists, identifiable in the blink of an eye, as wonderful as it looked five hundred years ago. We are talking about the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the most beautiful Italian churches located in the old town center and famous for its enormous dome.
But what’s the history behind it?
At the beginning, another small church stood in place of the current basilica and it was called Santa Reparata Church, dating back to VII century. At the end of 1200, it was expanded and then totally remade by architect Arnolfo di Cambio. The new church dedicated to the “flower” Madonna needed to look magnificent and spectacular in order to represent Florence grandeur and to compete with the Cathedrals of Siena and Pisa. It was ended by Arnolfo’s successors in 1421, when just the Dome needed to be built.
The problems linked to it were many: which shape should it get? Which material needed to be used? And, most of all, how could it bear the huge weight without collapsing?
The solution was proposed by Filippo Brunelleschi in occasion of a concourse in 1418. The dome would have had an ogival shape, it would be self-supporting with two cupolas one inside the other separated by a structural space to preserve it from humidity and to allow the passage of workers. The covering is made with red bricks which are heavier in the lower parts and lighter in the upper ones, disposed in “opus spicatum” ("fishbone").
The dome was inaugurated in 1436, it had a 50m height and a 46m diameter. Later, other architectural structures have been added: the “tribune morte” are semi-circular temples next to the tambour, the “loggetta”, a decorative crowning element on one side, and the “lanterna”, a small marble temple on the top of the dome with a bronze ball lifted by Verrocchio.
The stunning “cupola” is the symbol of architectural perfection and Florentine genius. It can be admired from many angles of Florence, but one of the most charming places is certainly Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers a 360° view over the whole city.
It’s even possible to visit its interiors, walking along the space between its two vaults! the opening hours are 08:30am-07:00pm and the 15€ ticket includes the access to all the monuments of the “Grande Museo del Duomo”.
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