 |
||||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
STORY: Centuries after 170 years of construction, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore stands in the historical center of Florence, Italy on the site of a previous cathedral, the Santa Reparata. The Duomo, or Dome sits just behind to the east of the facade, flanked by its camponile, or bell tower. To the west behind you lies the oldest structure in Firenze, the Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St John), considered a minor Basilica, and famed for its three bronze doors referred to by Michelangelo as the "Gates of Paradise."
The South doors, which were first in the East position, were sculpted by Andrea Pisano, and modernized over time. Lorenzo Ghiberti at 21 won the next comission for the North Doors which took 21 years to complete, after which he was then commissioned for the East Doors, toiling 27 years to complete the latter. The doors depict milestones in the life of St John the Baptist, and also contain depictions of the eight virtues of hope, faith, charity, humility, fortitude, temperance, justice, and prudence. Ghiberti's doors depict Old and New Testament scenes and other scenes. They are copies now; the originals reside at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. |
||||||||||