By: Jim Bobbson
Submitted: 2010-01-22 11:19:02 | Word Count: 570
Firenze's Duomo
The Duomo in the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore was contrived under the careful eye of Arnolfo Cambio at the end of the thirteenth Century and is, without any shadow of doubt, one of Tuscany's most placeable visitor attractions. Upon Cambio's death in 1302 work on the cathedral came to a halt. It was not until 30 years later that the Italian master Giotto agreed to work on the Duomo, he only managed to complete the bell-tower before his death in 1337. It was further twenty-seven years when the old cathedral was pulled 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 now infamous cathedral which was in fact formed by way of of two dome's, one can be seen in all its glory from the outside and another which can be seen from the interior of the cathedral. On the inner dome frescoes by Paolo Uccello grace the cupola. It was not until 1436, some one-hundred and thiry-six years after the project was started that the cathedral was finally completed.
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Giotto's Bell-Tower Florence, Italy.
Giotto’s Campanile is an independent bell tower that is housed in the Piazza del Duomo of Florence, Tuscany. It is placed adjacent to the Duomo of Firenze and is one of the purest examples of Florentine Gothic Architecture from the noted architect Giotto. It is eighty-four point seven metres in height and is supported by four buttresses on each corner.
Giotto never saw his Bell Tower completed, he worked on the project from 1334 until his death in 1337, only seing the 1st floor finished. The marble used in the bell tower comes from Carrara (white), Prato (green) and Siena (red).
The panorama of Piazzale Michelanglo
Piazzale Michelangelo provides the most spectacular view for tourists coming to Florence. It has everything, the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio and the foothills of Fiesole as a backdrop. The main piazza is approximately 100 metres squared, with the main portion assigned for scooters and buses that park up to allow tourers to take in this unbelievable view. In the balmy summer months the Plaza has a scattering of market stands and traders that sell an assortment of handbags and keepsakes.
If it's a clear day in Florence you simply must go to Piazzale Michelangelo because there is nothing quite like it in the World, and it will leave on you a lasting feeling. There's also a cafe in the Piazza from which you can take in the view while enjoying a Coffee Cappuccino or cocktail.
It goes without saying that wherever tourism is popular during the evening you need to be especially watchful against pickpockets. You'll also find a greater number of market stalls springing up as well as local creative people selling their works. The sunset view is one for romantics, perched out on the steps gazing down over the town, but it's really on a clear bright sunny day or towards the hours of sunset that the Piazza really glows.
Author Resource:-
You can read more about Vacations in Tuscany on our dedicated resource pages.
I. Clinton is a travel journalist for Tuscany Villas, a website all about loving the Tuscan lifestyle.
