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Maria del Fiore was constructed on the site of the old cathedral
of Santa Reparata, which had been built in the time of Bishop Zanobius
in the early decades of the 5th century. The initial project was
to enlarge the original cathedral, but in 1294 the Council of the
Hundred opted for a completely new construction.
In 1296 the foundation stone for the new cathedral was laid and
dedicated to the Virgin with the name of Santa Maria del Fiore.
The architect was Arnolfo di Cambio. The old cathedral continued
to be used while the new one was being constructed, but finally,
in 1375, it was definitively buried. Arnolfo died in 1331 or 1332,
which slowed down work, until the Arte della Lana, the most powerful
guild in Florence, nominated Giotto as master of works, and he began
work on the construction of the nearby bell tower.
Giotto died in 1337 and others, including Francesco Talenti, took
charge of the Duomo project.
The cathedral was completed in 1415, with the exception of the dome,
which was designed by Brunelleschi, who produced an engineering
masterpiece. It was erected in just 15 years; first of all a bronze
ball created by Verrocchio was put on top of it, and then a cross,
also in bronze. Pope Eugenio IV consecrated the cathedral in 1436
on the occasion of the Council of Florence which was then underway.
The facade (the one we see today) was redone in the 19th century
according to a design by Emilio de Fabris.
The interior has many monuments and other works of art, including
the monument to Giotto by Benedetto da Maiano, the portrait of Dante
by Domenico di Michelino (based on a drawing by Baldovinetti), and
a tondo with a bust of Brunelleschi by Andrea Cavalcanti. The clock
dial is by Paolo Uccello and the round glass windows were based
on a cartoon by Ghiberti. The holy water stoup (now a copy) is dated
circa 1380.
Behind the main altar by Baccio Bandinelli, to the left, there is
the sacristy, where Lorenzo the Magnificent took refuge during the
Pazzi Conspiracy in 1478.
In the subterranean area below Santa Maria del Fiore, it is possible
to visit the old cathedral of Santa Reparata.
The duomo of Florence, 153 metres long and 38 wide, is the fourth-largest
Christian church.
Like the cathedrals of Florence's rival cities, Santa Maria del
Fiore was built with a Latin cross plan, with a basilica nave, three
vast arms, and a dome; the latter starts 50 metres from the ground.
The cathedral looks out onto a large piazza called Piazza del Duomo,
where the traditional rite of the Scoppio del Carro is conducted
every year at Easter.
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