The Duomo

Right next to the Baptistry, on the Piazza del Duomo, is the famous Duomo (cathedral) of Florence. The full name of this cathedral is Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore.

Its name (Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower) refers to the lily, symbol of Florence, or to the old town name Fiorenza, but a 15th century document states that the "flower" refers to Christ.

The church was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296 to be the largest Roman Catholic church in the world, and when it was completed, had room for 30,000 people. It is now only exceeded in size by Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, the Seville Cathedral, and the Milan Cathedral.

Several architects worked on the building project, which was also interrupted by the Black Plague of 1348. The nave was finished by 1380, and by 1418 only the dome was left uncompleted. Work started on the dome in 1420 and was completed in 1436.

The walls are covered in alternate vertical and horizontal bands with many-colored marble from Carrara (white), Prato (green), Siena (red), Lavenza and a few other places. These marble bands had to repeat the decorations of the Baptistry and the belltower.

The cathedral was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV on 25 March 1436 (the first day of the year according to the Florentine calendar).