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| FLORENCE HOMEPAGE » DUOMO AREA » FLORENCE MONUMENTS |
Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore |
This area of Florence is dominated by the superb Duomo of
Santa Maria del Fiore, the highest building of the city,
one of the best-known symbol of the town that overlooks Florence
with its enormous Dome.
The Cathedral, dedicated to “Saint Mary of the Flower”
is located in the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, designed by Arnolfo
di Cambio who enlarged the existing structure. The building of the
Duomo started in 1296. The Cupola remained unfinished and only in
1421 it was built by the famous architect Brunelleschi. The cupola’s
interior was decorated by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari who
painted a huge “Last Judgement”.
Baptistery |
The Bell tower, designed by Giotto in 1334, was completed in 1359,
22 years after his death. The work was continued under Andrea Pisano
and Francesco Talenti who continued in repeating the marble decoration
and the Ghotic ornamentation. The belltower (Campanile) is still
a masterpiece of elegance. Its Baptistery is one
of the oldest constructions of Florence and goes back to the IV
century. The gilded bronze doors are by Andrea Pisano (present south
door: 1336) and Lorenzo Ghiberti (north and east doors: 1427 and
1452). The latter is the famous "Gates of Paradise", whose
original panels has been removed for restoration and there are copies
in its place.
Loggia del Bigallo |
Many interesting sights are located in this area; such as the great
Loggia del Bigallo, with its marble decorations
is in a typical XIV century Gothic style. Originally, foundling
children were left under the loggia: if after three days they were
not claimed by their parents, they were sent to foster homes. The
exhibits in its museum include the first known pictorial representation
of Florence (1345) and a painted crucifix from an unknown artist
that goes back to 1225-1235.
Walking in this area, we suggest a visit to the Museum dell’Opera
del Duomo and to the Museum of Firenze com’era.
The first one houses superb works taken from the Cathedral, the
Baptistery and from the Belltower. Most of the statues were created
to adorn the Cathedral and include works from Donatello and Nanni
di Banco. One of the most famous sculpture in the world is housed
in this Museum: the Michelangelo’s Pietà, brought here
from the Duomo in 1981. The second one shows Florence and its life
through pictures, paintings, plans and prints starting from the
XV century to today.
Other historical buildings that you find in this area are Palazzo
Salviati, the head-office of the Banca Toscana, with its frescoes
that go back to the XIV century, Palazzo Nonfinito, started by Buontalenti
in 1593 and never completed, with its beautiful courtyard attributed
to Cingoli (1559-
Museum of Firenze com'era |
1613) and Palazzo Pucci erected during the XVI
century by Bartolomeo Ammannati, once residence of the Pucci family,
historical allied of the Medici family.
The area around the church of San Lorenzo and is
deeply characterized by the founder of the Medici Family: Cosimo
the Old.
This church was consecrated in 393 by Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.
In 1418 the Medici decided to adopt it as their church of family
and commissioned the task of renovating the building to Brunelleschi.
After his death, Antonio Manetti continued his work and then, Michelangelo
(1520 – 34) who added two sacresties, the Medici Chapels and
the Biblioteca Medicea-Laurenziana.
San Lorenzo |
The Medici Chapels are attached to the San Lorenzo Basilica. This
monumental complex comprises the Prince's Chapel and the New Sacresty.
The Princes' Chapel with its wonderful polychrome marble decoration,
is covered with a huge dome designed by Buontalenti
The New Sacresty was begun by Michelangelo (1512) and completed
by Vasari and Ammannati. It contains six tombs of Grand Dukes and
elaborate designs in green and red marble. The Medici Tombs house
Michelangelo's spectacular statues Night, Day, Dawn and Dusk. The
Biblioteca
Palazzo Medici-Riccardi |
Medicea Laurenziana (by Michelangelo),
was founded by Cosimo the Old in 1524 to house the big collection
of the ancient Medici’s manuscripts. This library contains
a rich collection of medieval manuscripts and Renaissance editions
of classic works .
Talking about the Medici family, we would like to introduce theire
residence from 1444 to 1544: Palazzo Medici-Riccardi,
that became property of the Riccardi family since 1545. Today, this
palace is the seat of the Prefecture. Cosimo the Old commissioned
the construction to Michelozzo after the refusal of a Brunelleschi’s
design. In 1517 Michelangelo added the windows on the sides of the
entrance. Originally, the Donatello’s David was located here;
today, his location is occupied by the marble sculpture of the Orpheus
by Bandinelli.
Cosimo I, from 1537 Duke of Florence, commissioned in 1540, Baccio
Bandinelli, to build a mausoleum in memory of his father Giovanni
de’ Medici, called Giovanni dalle Bande Nere. Cosimo wanted
a monument worthy of the greatest military leader of the 16th century.
Giovanni was represented seated, as though resting in death, holding
in his right hand a broken lance. This area is also characterized
by the Central Market.
housed inside a large 18th century building, designed by Giuseppe
Mengoni, with relatively modern green and red exterior. This is
the Florence’s best food market, and it is located in the
middle of the San Lorenzo street market. The Central market offers
a great variety of flowers and food, from meats, fish, cheese and
bread to olive oil, wine, and typical Tuscan take-away foods.
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