What is the Florence Cathedral?

 The Florence Cathedral from Afar

A view of the cathedral from the side which highlights the enormity of the dome.
(photo by Dave Yoder of National Geographic)

The Florence Cathedral is located in Florence, Italy in the Piazza del Duomo right in the center of historic Florence. You may also find the Baptistery as well as Giotto's Campanile in the same square. In Italian the name of the church is La Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, translating to the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower. The cathedral dominates the skyline of Florence, especially the massive octagonal dome that to this day remains the largest masonry dome in the world. It's purpose is the same as any other church - to provide a place of worship for the Catholics of the city. It has also become a large tourist attraction for the city of Florence, along with many of the other religious sites in the city.

The cathedral was built on top of the earlier Santa Reparata, which was too small for the growing city of Florence. Initially designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the cathedral would be finished by Filippo Brunelleschi after di Cambio's death in 1302. The first stone was laid in 1294, and the church was completed in a sense in 1436 when it was consecrated, however the facade was not actually completed until the late 19th century.

Information taken from:

Gallardo, Jezhen. "Florence Cathedral." Archinomy. Archinomy, 16 May 2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/946/florence-cathedral>.

King, Ross. Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture. New York: Walker, 2000. Print.

Toker, Franklin. "Florence Cathedral: The Design Stage." Art Bulletin 60 (1978): 214-231.