Duomo, Florence Essay, Research Paper

Duomo Florence

The Duomo is a distinctive feature of the Florence skyline. The Duomo Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, located due north of the Piazza della Signoria was begun by the sculptor Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296. Many local artists continued working on it for the following century and a half. The painter Giotto designed its Sturdy campanile (Bell Tower) in 1334. Opposite the Duomo stands Baptistery with magnificent bronze doors which date back to the 11th century. These doors were said to be copied by Lorenzo Ghiberti, who even had them christened by Michelangello. The Florence was originally created in the gothic style by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296. But in 1366 the gothic style was abolished and the Roman style was adopted. The Dome built in the 15th century is the one structure that stands out. It is approximately 42 meters high. The Dome was also built without formwork.

The Dome of Filippo Brunelleschi?s consists of two layers, an inner dome and a parallel outer shell used to protect it from the weather and to give it s better look. These Domes are supported by 24 stone half arches of circular form, 2.1 meters thick on the base and tapering to 1.5 meters , which meet at an open stone compression ring at the top. The entire structure was built without formwork, circular profiles of the ribs and rings being maintained by a system of measuring wires fixed at the centers of curvature. Brunelleschi designed elaborate wooden machines to move the needed building materials both vertically and horizontally. The dome was established as the paragon of built form. A modern version of this cathedral, executed by Emilio de Fabris in 1867-87, which was destroyed at the end of the 16th century. Many Italian artists has worked in this for the structure of it and it?s beautiful statues that surround it.