During the 14th century, Europe transitioned from Gothic to Renaissance styles. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy best represents Renaissance architecture. Construction of the cathedral began in 1296 under Arnolfo di Cambio and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Florence prospered as a trade center between Western Europe and Byzantium, with wealthy families patronizing local artists. Filippo Brunelleschi's brilliant work beginning in 1420 moved the massive cathedral towards completion, culminating in the lantern's addition in 1446. Brunelleschi devised an innovative dome construction method that created a new architectural form and still inspires today.

1. It was during the 14th
century when Europe had undergone a dramatic change from the
Gothic of the late Middle Ages (Medieval era) to that of the Renaissance. The term “renaissance”
literally means “rebirth” in French, a period that many new forms of artistic marvels and architectural
wonders that stand today with monuments such as the San Lorenzo and the Palazzo Medici-
Riccardi but one of the most significant structures that best representsRenaissance architecture is
the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore better known as Florence Cathedral located in Florence, Italy.
The building of the cathedral was dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Ching, Jarzombek,
Prakash, 2007).Florence, the city that was regarded asthe birthplace of the Renaissance was a
strategic location where trade had flourished as Italy was positioned in between Western Europe
and Eastern Byzantine; as well as the city states that were dominated by wealthy families who
sought prestige and status through their patronage of arts and local artists and architects (Fazio,
Moffett, Wodenhouse, 2009).
Florence as a trade center
It was Arnolfo di Cambio who had first began the constructing the Cathedral of Florence in
the year 1296 (Toker, n.d.). He was followed by Giotto di Bondane who started to construct the
Campanile, bell tower, in 1334 after he was nominated. It was in the 1350s that the Florentines had
Unknown.(2011). Philopanoramica [Painting].
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-3-in-1-thursday-laurentian-library.html

2. decided to expand the length of the nave as an effort to outdo the Romanesque cathedral of Pisa
and Siena. This can be credited to Francesco Talenti who had continued the construction of the
cathedral by enlarging the structure as well as completing the campanile. But it was the brilliant
work of Filippo Brunelleschi that began in the year 1420 that the massive Duomo had moved
towards completion. In the year 1436, the Cathedral of Florence was finally completed with the
addition of the Lantern which construction began in 1446; the year that Brunelleschi had passed
away.

3. The structure of the cathedral was designed to have a domed crossing from which emanate
three arms of equal length, the fourth which has a longer arm is the nave with a centralized
structure for the altar and the clergy; the shape of the nave and the three dome apses were
designed to represent a Latin cross. The dome of the Florence Cathedral was built using bricks of
different sizes while the external walls of the cathedral are covered with graceful green, white and
pink marble claddings is an expression of spirituality (Parke, 2002). The construction of the dome
however remained an issue then because it had been impossible to build a wooden framework that
would support the weight of the dome without breaking the octagonal drum. Using his knowledge on
ancient Roman construction, Brunelleschi had solved the problem by simply using the pointed-arch
cross section instead of the semi-circular shape he had managed to reduce the load along with the
double shell of radial and concentric ribs.
Structure of the dome

4. The Florentines wanting to have their cathedral crowned with a mighty dome had led
Brunelleschi into devising a method that had gone on to create a new form of building to create
harmony and beauty that has impactedmodern architectural forms. Today the Florence Cathedral
stands tall with its shadow soaring over the skies of Florence as a sign of marvel and inspiration to
all.
Unknown.(2013). Beautiful renaissance cathedral [Photograph]. Retrieved May 3, 2013 from
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5. References
Catling, C. (2011). Florence & Tuscany. London: Dorling Kindersley.
Ching, F., Jarzombek, M., &Prakash, V. (2007). A global history of architecture. Hoboken, N.J: J.
Wiley & Sons.
Essential Architecture- Florence Cathedral.(n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2013, from http://www.italian-
architecture.info/FL/FL-002.htm
Fazio, M., Moffett, M., &Wodenhouse, L. (2009). Buildings Across Time (3rd ed.). Mass, Boston:
McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Garntner, P. J. (1998). Brunelleschi. Germany: Konemann.
Kostof, S. (1959). A history of architecture: Settings and rituals (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford
University Press.
Murray, P. (1986). The architecture of the Italian Renaissance (3rd ed.). London: Thames and
Hudson Ltd.
Parke, T. (2002). FLORENCE A city with a view. London: Tauris& Co Ltd.
Toker, F. K. (n.d.). Florence Cathedral: The Design Stage. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from
https://courses.marlboro.edu/pluginfile.php/32835/mod_page/content/1/Florence_Cathedral-
The_Design_Stage.pdf