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:

Feb 1, 2019‘Stepping’ into Black History Month
Jun 27, 2018In search of roadside attractions on ‘America’s Highway’
Feb 27, 2025International Polar Bear Day
Oct 17, 2021A walk among the giants
Sep 17, 2023Cuban tody, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
Jun 20, 2023American Eagle Day
Sep 17, 2021Eye of the cave
Mar 5, 2021Reflecting on one of the world s strangest rivers
Oct 22, 2020Moving as one
Mar 23, 2021Uncommon clouds are gathering
Jun 15, 2018Ready for takeoff
Aug 27, 2022Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington
Dec 30, 2019Sky island views
Jan 26, 2023Heavens Gate Cave, Tianmen Mountain National Park, China
Sep 2, 2025Camel thorn trees, Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia
Sep 25, 2019Chilling out in the Arctic
Mar 2, 2020And to think that I saw it in Cappadocia
Jan 26, 2019Visiting a Maratha fortress
Dec 25, 2019Merry and bright
Mar 10, 2023Vale of Edale, Peak District, England
Mar 6, 2022Great cormorants
Sep 30, 2025Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
Nov 17, 2024Red deer stag in Glen Affric, Scottish Highlands
Jan 24, 2023Colle Santa Lucia, Dolomites, Italy
Jun 13, 2020A gorge-ous mill in the Causses
Sep 3, 2020Tall, taller, tallest
Mar 31, 2025Ostuni, Apulia, Italy
May 24, 2022European Day of Parks
Sep 21, 2024Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Sep 9, 2019A toast to California!