Florence Part II

There are two stories with Florence - the first is the art, the second are the churches. In my previous blog I wrote about all the beautiful art and sculptures there are in Florence, today my focus will be on the two main Churches and the Baptistery of San Giovanni(St. John).

The Duomo di Santa Maria de Fiore: “Our Lady of the Flower”
(The Flower in this case is the Christ Child)
This is probably the most recognizable dome in all the world. It has been in movies, documentaries and has come to symbolize the great achievements of artists Brunelleschi and Michelangelo. Started in 1296 it took 170 years to complete. The Nave was completed in 1418. In 1419 the famous Dome was started by Brunelleschi.
The horizontal and vertical bands of marble are from various regions of Tuscany. The white marble called “Carrara” are from the city in the province of Massa-Carrara in Tuscany. The green is called Prato and the red Siena each also from Tuscany regions.
The outside façade was first designed in 1587, then a new façade, which we see today, was constructed in 1867 -1887.

The bronze doors are dedicated to the “Mother of Christ”
Be sure to notice the cross beams in the ceiling.

The Battistero di San Giovanni (The Baptistery of St. John the Baptist)
As I have commented in several blogs the Catholic faith believed that you had to be baptized before entering the church so they built a beautiful Baptistery across from the Duomo di Santa Maria. The most important part of the building are the Bronze door which were designed around the 14th and 15th century. The first Baptistery on this space was built in early 600’s.
The much larger one we see today was built from 1059 - 1128. The doors are scenes from the life of John the Baptist, and reflect the Baptism of Christ. The doors are referred to as “The gates to Paradise”.

The Basilica di Santa Croce
Built in 1294 by Arnolfo di Cambio - it was consecrated in 1443 by pope Eugene IV. It houses the tombs of both Michelangelo and Galileo. The Neo-gothic façade was added in 1857. It has 16 chapels inside

These are the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. The Pope wanted Michelangelo to be buried at St. Peter's Basilica but the people of Florence, as Michelangelo was a Florentine, insisted that his body be returned to Florence. If you click on his tomb the statues have taken a rather funny stance.