Home | Europe | - Italy
Florence's Principal Church The Duomo in the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore was contrived under the careful eye of Arnolfo Cambio at the close of the thirteenth Century and is, without any shadow of doubt, one of Tuscany's most distinctive visitor magnets. On the death of Cambio in the early 14th century progress on the masterpiece came to a halt. It wasn't until thirty years later that the Italian master Giotto decided to work on the Duomo, he only managed to complete the bell-tower before his death in 1337. It was another twenty-seven years when the old cathedral was taken down and a new one started. This some one-hundred years after the initial plans were drawn up. Filippo Brunelleschi was engaged to project manage the great dome (the Cupola) of the cathedral which was in fact made up of of two dome's, one can be seen in all its glory from the outside and another which can be viewed from the interior of the cathedral. On the inside frescoes by Paolo Uccello the cupola. It was not until 1436, some 136 years after the project was started that the cathedral was finally completed. Giotto's Campanile Florence, Italy. Giotto’s Bell-Tower is an independent belfry that is housed in the Piazza del Duomo of Firenze. It is placed right next to the Florence Cathedral and is one of the finest examples of Florentine Gothic Architecture from the noted craftsman Giotto. It is 84.7 metres in height and is supported by four buttresses on each corner. Giotto never saw the Bell Tower completed, he laboured hard on the project from 1334 until his death in 1337, thus only seing the first floor finished. The stone used in the bell tower comes from Carrara (white), Prato (green) and Siena (red). The panorama of Piazzale Michelanglo Piazzale Michelangelo provides the only view for tourists coming to Florence. It has all before it, the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio and the foothills of Fiesole as its backdrop. The main plaza is approximately 100 metres squared, with the main section used for scooters and coaches that park up allowing visitors to take in this terrific view. In the balmy summer months the Square has a scattering of market kiosks and dealers that sell an assortment of purses and souvenirs. If it's a clear sunny day in Florence you have no reason no to go to Piazzale Michelangelo because there's nothing quite like it in the World, and it will leave on you a long-lasting feeling. There's also a cafe in the Piazza from which you can take in the view while enjoying a Cappuccino Coffee or cocktail. It goes without saying that wherever tourism is popular during the evening you need to be especially alert against thieves. You'll also find more market stalls springing up as well as local artists selling their wares. The sunset view is one for romantics, sitting out on the steps looking down over the town, but it's really on a clear bright sunny day or towards the hours of sunset that the Piazza shines.
Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com
Q. Norburst is a travel writer for Tuscany Villas, a website all about the Tuscan life. You can read more about planning your next Tuscan Vacation on our dedicated resource pages.
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
Powered by Article Dashboard
