Duomo and Montmartre

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Duomo is the cathedral of Florence. It is known as Santa Maria del Fiore, meaning “Saint Mary of the Flower”, referring to the lily which is the symbol of Florence. It was the third cathedral built in Florence. It was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, (in a gothic style) in 1294. Work on the cathedral slowed after Cambio died in 1302. Construction passed between different architects until it was completed, except for the dome, in 1418. In 1418 a competition was held to design a new dome for the cathedral. Filippo Brunelleschi won the competition with his distinctive octagonal design. Work started on the dome in 1420 and was finished in 1436. A big statue of Brunelleschi now sits in the Piazza del Duomo, looking up at his achievement. In 1587 the façade was demolished and another competition was held in 1864. It was won by Emilio De Fabris. Work began 1876 and was finished in 1887.



Montmartre is the tallest hill in Paris. It is on the northern border of the city and has a great over look of the city showing the Eiffel Tour and many other monuments. At the top of the hill is the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur. Several renowned artists such as Salvador Dali, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh worked near or around Montmartre. Surrounding Montmartre is the Red Light District of Paris where the most famous night club of the city is found, the Moulin Rouge. In the same area classic style of art nouveau is found in much of the architecture particularly on the entrances of the metro stations. Legend has it that Montmartre is the location where the famed Catholic Saint Denis was beheaded. As legend goes Saint Denis then held his head in his hands and gave a sermon, then marched the several kilometer journey to the spot where the Saint Denis Cathedral now stands and fell dead.

By: Ashlee Larson