Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence Jun 27, 2024

Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

Welcome to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Let the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore transport you through time. More than just a church, this Gothic structure, with its red-tiled dome, is steeped in centuries of history. Built over an older cathedral, construction began in 1296 under the supervision of architect Arnolfo di Cambio. Italian architect Filippo Brunelleschi engineered its dome, the largest brick dome ever constructed. Its completion in 1436 was the final stage of the cathedral"s construction. It"s not just the outside that dazzles; inside there are artistic treasures to discover, from Giorgio Vasari"s fresco "The Last Judgment" to Paolo Uccello"s intricate clock face. The cathedral complex is also home to the Baptistery, a small basilica, and Giotto"s Campanile, a free-standing bell tower.

© Elena Pueyo/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jun 27, 2018In search of roadside attractions on ‘America’s Highway’
Jun 27, 2019The roots of invention
Jun 27, 2020Looking for peace on the precipice
Jun 27, 2021Bathing in the light of Pride
Jun 27, 2022Lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France
Jun 27, 2023Sedona, Arizona
Jun 27, 2025Splendid leaf frog

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 18, 2024Pont Alexandre III, Paris, France
Oct 15, 2019The globe skimmers return
May 18, 2023International Museum Day
Apr 7, 2019Busy building wetlands
Sep 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Jan 22, 2021Cold? What cold?
Dec 14, 2019The Christmas Bird Count begins
Jan 26, 2024Northern hawk-owl
Aug 26, 2022Kiteboarding and windsurfing in Croatia
Nov 16, 2023World Philosophy Day
Aug 1, 2024Floating market, Kaptai Lake, Bangladesh
Apr 1, 2021Why do elephants hide in trees?
Sep 12, 2018A cutting-edge art gallery opens in Paris
Sep 5, 2018Salmon migration in full swing
Feb 19, 2022Mount Logan in Yukon, Canada
Apr 2, 2024Beech trees and wild anemones, Jutland, Denmark
Jun 23, 2022Stari Most in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Apr 25, 2019Here comes summer
Sep 10, 2018Party like it’s 5779
Sep 12, 2019Astrotourism at its finest
Nov 6, 2025Celebrating Yi Peng
Feb 13, 2026Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connecting Laos and Thailand
Apr 8, 2018It’s Draw a Bird Day
May 7, 2020Where the wildflowers grow
Aug 26, 2019Classical music takes center stage
Jun 16, 2023World Sea Turtle Day
Sep 14, 2023Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Feb 4, 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
Nov 3, 2022International Day for Biosphere Reserves
Nov 18, 2021Bohemian Switzerland