Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral - the jewel of Florence

In the heart of Florence - the cradle of the Renaissance - standing out on the skyline is the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, an architectural and religious icon of Italy.

Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. Photo: Tuan Phung

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Italian: Duomo di Firenze) was begun in 1296 by the architect Arnolfo di Cambio. The construction of the cathedral was commissioned and supervised by the Opera del Duomo, a civic organization of the Republic of Florence, with strong financial support from the Medici family, the most powerful and patronizing family of the time.

After a 140-year main construction period (1296 to 1436), the cathedral completed its main components, with the dome being the most important final component. The completion of the facade and interior details continued for several more centuries.

With a length of over 153m, a width of 90m at the dome area and an 85m high bell tower, Santa Maria del Fiore impresses not only with its massive scale but also with its architecture that combines Gothic and Renaissance. On the outside, the facade is made of blue, white and pink marble, the typical colors of the Tuscany region. Inside the church is a graceful yet powerful space, reflecting the progressive thinking and humanistic spirit of the era.

The most impressive feature of the cathedral is the Cupola - a masterpiece by Filippo Brunelleschi, built from 1420 to 1436. With a diameter of nearly 46m and a height of 114m, this is the largest octagonal brick dome in the world to date. The dome was built without the use of a main scaffolding but thanks to the ring locking technique and an advanced pulley system invented by Brunelleschi himself - a technique that changed European construction techniques. Inside the dome is the fresco "The Last Judgment" by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari - one of the largest wall paintings in the world, covering more than 3,600m².

It can be said that the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is the result of the perseverance, creativity and talent of many generations of Florentine artisans and architects, creating a great symbol of Renaissance art. This is a great work that crystallizes art, science and faith.

Climbing the 463 steps to the top of the dome, visitors can take in panoramic views of Florence - where the Ponte Vecchio bridge gracefully sits on the Arno River. Although different in function, Santa Maria del Fiore and Ponte Vecchio form a perfect pair in terms of urban landscape, history and tourist value.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nha-tho-santa-maria-del-fiore-vien-ngoc-quy-cua-florence-705422.html