The first stone of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence was laid in 1296 and the building was finally consecrated in 1436. The complex of Cathedral (with Brunelleschi’s Dome), Baptistry (11C-12C), and Giotto’s 14C Bell Tower dominates the centre of the City and is perhaps even more startling at night time.
At night the buildings are quite magical.
Ghiberti on the Baptistry doors
One of Ghiberti’s panels on the Baptistry doors
In the evening we sat on the hotel balcony with this sight before us..
