As we know Florence today, it origins from important and flourishing past. From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance this ancient Tuscan city was a place that attracted the most important masters of art during that time.
Thanks to the presence of noble and rich families in Florence, there were ideal conditions for centuries to produce works of art with extraordinary historical and artistic value. Not only great economic resources reasoned the favorable conditions, but generally high cultural level, which distinguished this city from the rest of Europe.
There were no similar previous works or examples of what Florence created, like the monumental complex of the Cathedral. The complex consisting of various buildings like the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistery of San Giovanni by Lorenzo Ghiberti. The baptistery is enriched by the presence of the three bronze doors attributed to Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti.
The complex of the Cathedral, besides the Cathedral of Florence, includes other important works: the Dome of Brunelleschi and Giotto's bell tower. The structure of the Santa Maria del Fiore did begun by Arnolfo di Cambio and then continued by many great masters of that period: as Giotto, Francesco Talenti and Giovanni di Lapo Ghini.
This monumental religious complex consecrated in 1436, although its' present appearance is quite different from what it was back then. In the course of the centuries, the cathedral was decorated with various interventions, especially its facade that initially remained unfinished for quite a long time. The facade of the cathedral was completed and decorated only in 1887.
Despite that, this architectural work is certainly the one that required the largest construction effort, because of the size and complexity of this unique structure of its kind, Cathedral is not the only monument present in Florence.
It was a challenge for the knowledge and the means of construction of that time, no one at that time thought it could be possible to make a dome without the support of other structures. Brunelleschi created the dome. His success in the construction of the dome is huge to the extent that experts from around the world study this work until today. Many scholars analyze its structure in order to understand the methods by which it was designed and how implemented.
The Cathedral is one of the main places where tourists stop to admire the beauty and the grandeur. In addition to external fascinating architectural work, there are many frescoes and works of art worth to mention inside of the church and the Baptistery.
The most famous Italian masters of art of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance have helped to make this a unique majestic architectural work that has always been the pride of Florence.
Martin Wynn
