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The Duomo, is the fourth largest cathedral in the world, taking almost two hundred years to complete. This gothic building was begun by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296 and completed in 1436 by Francesco Talenti. The octagonal dome is by Filippo Brunelleschi who is few of the few fiorentines to be entombed here. Its pink, white and green marble exterior by day gives the cathedral the looking of and neopolitan ice cream and the façade only dates from the nineteenth century. Inside, because of its lack of decoration, it ressembles more a public hall than of a church. The frescoes and stained-glass windows are by some of the Renaissance-era's best known artists, Vasari, Zuccari, Donatello, Uccello and Ghiberti. It is well worth climbing to the top of the duomo for the magnificent views of the city and to get an idea how the dome was constructed reputedly without scaffolding. Try to get to the top for these views in the early morning or by dusk light when it is at its most romantic. Giotto designed the cathedral's Campanile, and Pisano and della Robbia contributed bas-reliefs. The Baptistry adjacent is one of the city's oldest buildings, and oddly enough stated life as a pagan temple. This building is most famous for its gilded bronze doors. Those on the south are by Pisano. The ones facing east toward the cathedral were created by Ghiberti and are known as the Gates of Paradise (a title given by Michelangelo). Behind the cathedral is the Duomo Museum, which hosts the original panels taken from the doors of the Baptistry, Brunelleschi's death mask, the equipment used to build the dome and an impressive sculpture collection, including some little known pieces by Michelangelo. |