OCT 2, 2023
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The Modern Architecture of 1800s' Cathedral ✨
I was reading about the fascinating history and marvel of the Florence Cathedral and thought some of you might be interested.
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The duomo is one of the most defining works of Renaissance architecture.
And it is known for some amazingly iconic features including Brunelleschi's gigantic dome and of course, the brilliant Western façade 😍
The cathedral's work began in 1296 but was discontinued in 1348 because of the infamous Black Death that had hit Italy that year.
And though the cathedral was structurally completed by 1436, if my knowledge serves me right, it was an architectural challenge to execute a Duomo as gigantic without supporting it on any pillars, for that era. And hence, was announced as part of a competition on 19 August 1418, where Brunelleschi won and received the commission.
The façade we see today was completed in 1887 by the genius Emilio de Fabris as part of a competition to combine the elements of neo-Gothic and Renaissance design to cover the existing brickwork of the cathedral.
P.S. There's an amazing show on Netflix of that era, that talks about the earliest years of 'banking' as a concept and of course, this cathedral, the challenge and how the visionaries demand for the world to evolve, no matter what the era is.