CATHEDRAL, Exterior

Just like we always do at MyWoWo, I suggest taking a walk around the exterior of the great Cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore before going inside. Let me tell you a little bit about its history as you walk along.

The immense building you're admiring is the result of a process that lasted several centuries, but one which also shows the imprint of two architectural geniuses with absolute clarity: they are Arnolfo di Cambio, who designed the general project, and Filippo Brunelleschi, who in the first half of the 1400s designed the masterful dome that crowns the whole. Florence's Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world, and can hold about 30,000 people.

The Church of Santa Maria del Fiore took the place of the previous Church standing here, which was dedicated to Santa Reparata, and its construction began in 1299. The construction site was led by Arnolfo di Cambio for eleven years, until his death; he was then succeeded by Giotto. In about eighty years' time the Cathedral was substantially completed, lacking only the façade and dome....