Duomo, or, Santa Maria del Fiore (Real)

Duomo, or, Santa Maria del Fiore (Real),The Cathedral of Florence; the church in which Savonarola preaches. When Baldassarre Calvo escapes from the French soldiers it is on the steps of the Duomo that he clutches Tito Melema, who thus becomes aware of his foster father's presence in Florence. Later, within the Duomo, Baldassarre hears Savonarola preach and is seen by Romola. The Duomo, or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (so called from the lily which figures on the arms of Florence) is the present Cathedral of Florence. It was begun in the last decade of the thirteenth century by Arnolfo di Cambio. Giotto, the architect from 1332-6, began the tower. The dome was added by Brunelleschi during the first half of the fifteenth century and the church was finally consecrated 1436. The present facade was erected 1875-87.

<em>Romola</em>

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