A lion and a flower
Lion and lily at the facade of the Florentine cathedrale connect power and beauty sheltered under the arch symbolizing the dome.
Already at the laying of the foundation stone in 1296, the church was named Santa Maria del Fiore. But only in the 15th century this name became popular, but the City administration had to ban the use of the name of Santa Reparata.
Santa Maria del Fiore was at its time the biggest church, double the size of the previous church.
The name honors the Regina coeli, Heaven’s queen. The addition “del Fiore” refers to the name of the city “Fiorenza” and to the lily, the symbol of purity and innocence, represented in the armorial bearings of the city.
The dome of Santa Maria del Fiore is present on a large fresco at the Spanish chapel of Santa Maria Novella.
Andrea di Buonaiuto created the fresco at a time when the dome still was inexistent. It looks like that the fresco gave some inspiration to Brunelleschi.
The fresco (1365–1367) is prior to the dome and only a few months after its completion, in 1368, a reviewed project of Santa Maria del Fiore has been approved. Monk architects and artists designed and anticipated its implementation.
Visibility
When walking over the hills close to Florence, the whole cathedral or at least its dome are almost always visible. The golden ball made by Verrocchio is a magic point of reference and gives focus and orientation.
The dome emits an invisible mystic energy field and puts the entire city under a protecting umbrella. This invisible energy exists only in the imagination. It unites spiritually all Florentines. The dome is like the Vergin of Mercy who gives a shelter and is like a guardian to all Florentines and those who want it to be.
The dome attracts because it shows stability over centuries. It is well conserved and gives the feeling of being involved in an important period of manhood also thanks to its irreal dimensions, still today.
Going back in time it is difficult to imagine how Florentines and their guests felt when they saw it. For sure, they were overwhelmed by the greatness and importance of Florence and started to praise the faith and the Madonna making such a miracle possible.
Madonna
Santa Maria del Fiore is dedicated to the holy Virgin. The Eastern portal on the Northern face of the cathedral is called Porta della Madorla. The relief over the portal shows the Madonna who tries to convince the doubting Thomas about her assumption in Heaven, crucial for the concept of the cathedral as the Virgin Mary was the first human who had that privilege.
The Assumption Day,the 15th of August is a major feast day in Florence and all Italy. The apostle Thomas started to believe in resurrection when he touched Christ’s holy wounds. He doubted also in Mary’s Assumption into the heaven, because he did not see it with his proper eyes.
The Madonna passed to the doubting Thomas a belt woven when she was pregnant with Jesus. This convinced him. Pieces of this belt are still preserved in the Dome of Prato near Florence.
