Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Street-by-Street: Around the Duomo
Much of Florence was rebuilt during the
Renaissance, but the eastern part of the city
retains a distinctly medieval feel. With its
confusing maze of tiny alleyways and
hidden lanes, it would still be recognizable
to Dante. His house, the Casa di Dante,
still stands near the parish church
where he first glimpsed his beloved,
Beatrice Portinari
(see p70)
.
He would also recognize the
Bargello and, of course, the
Baptistry. One of the oldest
streets is the Borgo degli Albizi. Now lined
with Renaissance palaces, it follows the line
of the ancient Roman road to Rome.
The dome
, completed
in 1436, was designed by
Brunelleschi to dwarf even
the great buildings of ancient
Greece and Rome.
Statue on
Orsanmichele
façade
.
Duomo, Campanile
and Baptistry
The vast Duomo holds
up to 20,000 people.
It is elegantly part-
nered by Giotto's
campanile and the
Baptistry,
whose doors
demonstrate
the artistic ideas
that led to the
Renaissance
1
The Loggia del
Bigallo
was built for
the Misericordia by
Alberto Arnoldi in
1358. During the 15th
century, abandoned
children were
displayed here for
three days. If, after
this time, their parents
had not claimed
them, they were sent
to foster homes.
Via dei
Calzaiuoli
,
lined with smart shops,
is the focus of the
passeggiata
,
the traditional evening stroll.
.
Orsanmichele
The carvings on the walls of this Gothic church
depict the activities and patron saints of the city's
trade guilds, such as the Masons and Carpenters
3
