Florence 2013 - Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo)

The main cathedral of Florence - Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore is more commonly known as The Duomo. Construction started in the late 13th Century and it was only completed in the 15th Century - taking over 200 years. The famous dome of The Duomo was added in the 15th Century. It was designed by renowned Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi and is still considered as one of the most elegant domes in the World. 

The design of the dome is quite challenging as the architects decided not to make use of buttresses to carry the massive weight as in Gothic designs. This was a significant development in architecture - a transition from the Gothic Style to the Renaissance Style. The problem was only solved when Brunelleschi was called in to design the dome, and his ingenious solution makes quite interesting reading if you are interested in matters related to architecture.

The main facade of the cathedral is neo-Gothic in style and features marble in 3 colours - white, pink and green. It is a striking design with intricate patterns that take time to explore and appreciate.

From every angle, this is a magnificent building, one that impresses every time you pass it.