Duomo Florence History

The Duomo of Florence, officially known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the world’s most iconic and magnificent cathedrals. 

This grand Renaissance church, with its magnificent dome engineered by the genius Filippo Brunelleschi, has been a symbol of the city of Florence for centuries.

The history of the cathedral dates back to the late 13th century when the city’s merchant decided to construct a new cathedral to replace the ancient church of Santa Reparata. 

From the submission of the designs to the cathedral’s resurrection, this article shares all the details about the history of the Duomo Florence.

Duomo Florence History Timeline in Brief

Here is the Duomo Florence History timeline in brief:

• 1296: Arnolfo di Cambio, one of the chief architects behind the Duomo’s construction, submitted designs for the Duomo Florence, and construction began. 
• 1418: Filippo Brunelleschi, another chief architect behind the Duomo’s construction, was awarded the project for the dome’s completion.
• 1420: The dome’s construction began. 
• 1436: The Cathedral and the dome’s construction were completed, and Pope Eugene IV consecrated the cathedral.
• 1601: Duomo Florence lost its bronze ball in a significant thunderstorm. 
• 1871-1887: The decoration of the external facade of the Duomo Florence was completed. 
• 1982: Duomo Florence became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Duomo Florence History in Detail

Let us now learn about Duomo Florence’s history in detail to understand the events that led to the Duomo becoming the marvelous structure it is today.

Duomo Florence Construction and Growth

Several people are unaware that the Duomo Florence is not the first religious structure to stand on the site.

Before the Duomo Florence, or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, was constructed, an older church named San Reparata stood on the site. 

Florence was emerging as a major European city and naturally experienced a cultural and financial renaissance fueled by two industries, the wool and banking industries. 

The Wool Merchants Guild spearheaded the construction of a new cathedral that would replace the older San Reparata. 

This undertaking led to rapid urban transformation, demolition of existing structures, and rerouting Florencia streets.

Challenges and Capomastros

As mentioned in the brief timelines above, in 1296, the Cathedral’s construction commenced with Arnolfo di Cambio as the first copamastro or designer or architect. 

However, this role suffered instability, rivalry, and corruption for centuries.

Cambio’s death paved the way for figures like Talenti, Giovanni Ghini, and Brunelleschi to take charge of the model. 

A model competition was organized in 1366 to finalize the cathedral’s design. 

The winning model focused on shape and scale, laying the foundation for future capomastros.

The Bell Tower and The Missing Dome Challenge

Adjacent to the cathedral is a 280-foot-tall Campanile, or bell tower, a significant engineering feat. 

It was completed in 1359, around two decades after the construction and featured octagonal buttresses, graduated orders, and openings for the bell operation.

Cathedral construction also faced several hurdles, such as the missing dome. 

Other challenges included its construction without centering or external buttressing. 

The winning proposal from the competition, organized to attain realistic solutions, came from Filippo Brunelleschi, a Florentine goldsmith.

Brunelleschi presented a self-supporting dome design that also adhered to the 1366 model. 

His innovative design made him the competition’s winner.

Innovative Dome Design and The Baptistry – San Giovanni

Brunelleschi’s dome design featured a double-shell dome, with the exterior resembling the 1366 model. 

The interior is a hemispherical dome, and the need for centering was eliminated during the construction.

Brunelleschi also incorporated compression rings and a unique brick pattern. 

Brunelleschi completed the dome by 1436 despite numerous challenges and difficulties.

The structure’s white and green marble exterior likely followed the reconstruction. 

The cathedral’s interior referenced the Pantheon.

Critique of the Duomo Florence Cathedral

The Duomo Florence history also includes critique post-construction.

The Duomo Cathedral is an engineering marvel, but it faced criticism for its interior space, which was said to be underwhelming. 

The exterior of Duomo Florence’s aesthetics surpassed the interior’s execution, and people did not feel impressed. 

People criticized the dark and dimly lit interior, which, coupled with seemingly flat finishes, raised concerns about Duomo Florence’s atmosphere. 

The architecture focused on eliminating buttressing, which is said to have compromised natural light.

Cracking of the Dome

Eyebrows were raised about the engineering marvel as cracks started appearing almost immediately after construction.

Since 1989, observations have highlighted four fissures from the dome’s top to the church foundations.

This discovery prompted 300 monitoring devices to be attached to the dome of the Duomo Florence.

Pier Luigi Nervi observed in 1934 that the cracks in Duomo Florence’s dome opened and closed with the season. 

The cracks expensed in the winter and closed during the summer.

FAQs about The Duomo Florence

Featured Image:Andrea Woods on Unsplash