Sta Maria del Fiore (Duomo) (1296-1418) by Arnolfo di Cambio @Florence (sep 2, 1296 – may 8, 1418)

Description:

Begun in 1296 and by 1418 all was done except the dome.

Intended to be as large and impressive as possible - in order to outdo the cathedrals of Florence's main rivals at the time: Pisa and Siena.

Pisa + Siena both had large cathedrals with domes over the crossing.

Florence intended to build and even bigger one with a bigger dome.

It is gothic in style but Italian Gothic NOT French Gothic:
-Classical pilasters and capitals.
-Horizontal rather than vertical emphasis-feeling of openness.
-Stone vault carried on just a few massive supports.
-Romanesque-style coloured marble on exterior.
-Octagonal crossing with three curved tribunes: central planning rather than strong East-West axis.
-Arcade close to ceiling for openness, not low for height.

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