It was during the 14 th century when Europe had undergone a dramatic change from the Gothic of the late Middle Ages (Medieval era) to that of the Renaissance. The term “renaissance” literally means “rebirth” in French, a period that many new forms of artistic marvels and architectural wonders that stand today with monuments such as the San Lorenzo and the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi but one of the most significant structures that best represents Renaissance architecture is the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore better known as Florence Cathedral located in Florence, Italy. The building of the cathedral was dedicated to the Virgin Mary ( Ching, Jarzombek, Prakash, 2007). Florence, the city that was regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance was a strategic location where trade had flourished as Italy was positioned in between Western Europe and Eastern Byzantine; as well as the city states that were dominated by wealthy families who sought prestige and status through their patronage of arts and local artists and architects (Fazio, Moffett, Wodenhouse, 2009). Florence as a trade center
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It was during the 14th century when Europe had undergone a dramatic change from the
Gothic of the late Middle Ages (Medieval era) to that of the Renaissance. The term “renaissance”
literally means “rebirth” in French, a period that many new forms of artistic marvels and architectural
wonders that stand today with monuments such as the San Lorenzo and the Palazzo Medici-
Riccardi but one of the most significant structures that best represents Renaissance architecture is
the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore better known as Florence Cathedral located in Florence, Italy.
The building of the cathedral was dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Ching, Jarzombek, Prakash, 2007).
Florence, the city that was regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance was a strategic location
where trade had flourished as Italy was positioned in between Western Europe and Eastern
Byzantine; as well as the city states that were dominated by wealthy families who sought prestige
and status through their patronage of arts and local artists and architects (Fazio, Moffett,
Wodenhouse, 2009).
Florence as a trade center
It was Arnolfo di Cambio who had first began the constructing the Cathedral of Florence in
the year 1296 (Toker, n.d.). He was followed by Giotto di Bondane who started to construct the
Campanile, bell tower, in 1334 after he was nominated. It was in the 1350s that the Florentines had
Unknown. (2011). Philopanoramica [Painting]. Retrieved May 4, 2013 from http://leestuscanodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/01/63-3-in-1-thursday-laurentian-library.html