Dome, stained glass windows, choir

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The 44 stained glass windows of the Cathedral constitute the most monumental program of glass art in fourteenth and fifteenth century Italy. They depict saints from the Old and New Testaments (in the nave and transepts) and scenes from the life of Christ and Mary (in the eyes of the drum). The list of authors includes the greatest names in early Renaissance Florentine art: Donatello, Ghiberti, Paolo Uccello, Andrea del Castagno.

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The 44 stained glass windows of the Cathedral constitute the most monumental program of glass art in fourteenth and fifteenth century Italy. They depict saints from the Old and New Testaments (in the nave and transepts) and scenes from the life of Christ and Mary (in the eyes of the drum). The list of authors includes the greatest names in early Renaissance Florentine art: Donatello, Ghiberti, Paolo Uccello, Andrea del Castagno.

The highlight is the area under the dome, bounded by the choir and high altar.
The decoration of the dome, which Brunelleschi (according to ancient sources) had conceived as a mosaic, was painted in fresco between 1572 and 1579 by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. The iconographic theme is the same that we find in the Baptistery: the Last Judgment. In the central area, in fact, the figure of the Risen Christ dominates, Judge of the living and the dead.

The frescoes in the dome underwent a global restoration between 1978 and 1994.

Scheme of the frescoes in the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore

A) The 24 Elders of Apoc. 4 B) Angelic choirs with instruments of the Passion C) Christ, Mary and Saints D) Virtues, beatitudes, gifts of the Holy Spirit E) Vices and hell
F) Drum glazing:
1) Donatello, Coronation of the Virgin. 2) Paolo Uccello, Resurrection of Christ. 3) Andrea del Castagno, Deposition of Christ. 4) Paolo Uccello, Nativity of Christ. 5) Paolo Uccello, Annunciation to Mary (stained glass window). 6) Lorenzo Ghiberti, Presentation of Christ in the Temple. 7) Lorenzo Ghiberti, Prayer of Christ in the Garden. 8) Lorenzo Ghiberti, Ascension of Christ into Heaven.

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Of the ancient choir, originally adorned with a superstructure with columns and architraves, today only the retaining wall remains, with depictions of prophets sculpted by Bandinelli and his collaborators.
Since 1973, the altar has been located inside, facing the assembly, in accordance with the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council. At the center of the choir is the "cathedra" (the episcopal chair), from which derives the name "cathedral" attributed to the church in which the Bishop celebrates.
The Christ of the large crucifix behind the chair is by Benedetto da Maiano (c. 1495-97).

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Behind the choir is the sacristy “delle Messe” or “dei Canonici”: a room decorated with inlaid wooden panels, made by Florentine masters of the 400s and restored after the 1966 flood. Here are kept the vestments, the books and the sacred furnishings used for worship. Outside, above the door, dominates the Resurrection of Christ, by Luca Della Robbia, in glazed terracotta.

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