Breathtakingly beautiful and of ultimate craftsmanship—the iconic landmark of Florence!

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei   Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei
 
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is located in Florence, Italy. It serves as the city's cathedral and is one of its most iconic landmarks.

The construction of the cathedral began in 1269 and was completed in 1436. Its façade features Gothic Renaissance architectural style and is clad in multi-colored marble of varying shades, creating a harmonious and vibrant color scheme.

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the largest church in Italy, and its dome is the world’s largest brick dome. During construction, the base of the dome was not a perfect octagon, making it difficult for the arches to meet at the center. Coupled with the enormous scale of the dome, this led to significant construction challenges at the time.

The issue was eventually resolved by the non-traditional architect Filippo Brunelleschi, who devised an innovative double-shell dome structure supported by eight hinged arches. He used a chain-linked system to counteract the downward thrust caused by the dome’s weight, while the bricks were arranged in a spiral pattern to help bear the dome’s own weight.

A century after the cathedral was built, Michelangelo once said that he could build a larger dome, but not one more beautiful. By the late 20th century, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.