Architecture Florence - Gothique @ Gothique Architecture in Florence
Italian gothique buildings are very different from the ones in Northern Europe. The gothique style was born in Paris region in the XII century.
Apart from the Cathedral, the most important examples of Florentine Gothique are Santa Croce and
Santa Maria Novella However, the stateliness of the volumes is the only element they have in common with North-European gothique works. Both of them lack the rich decorations typical of the North-European gothique style.
Santa Maria Novella`s project was made for the Dominican Friars. The vault ceiling is elaborate and the simple two-colours decorations are typical of Tuscan art.
Florence - The Dome
Arnolfo di Cambio (about 1245-1303) projected Santa Croce for the Franciscan Friars. It has a wooden truss ceiling, a wide nave and simple decorations.
In 1299 Arnolfo di Cambio was charged with the project of what is now known as Palazzo Vecchio (formerly Palazzo dei Priori and Palazzo della Signoria), the headquarters of Florentine government.
Arnolfo di Cambio made the project of Santa Maria del Fiore, as well. Unfortunately, he died before the end of the works. The campanile was designed by Ambrogio di Bondone, known as Giotto. When he died, Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti finished Giotto`s masterpiece. Francesco Talenti brought some changes to Arnolfo di Cambio`s project for the Cathedral and designed the dome that should have covered it, but his project was not realized.
