A distinguishing landmark of Florence is the Duomo, the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. It attracts throngs of tourists each year for its pivotal history.The construction of the dome marks the beginning of Renaissance architecture; the cathedral and its dome blends old and new designs. Arnolfo di Cambio began the building in a Gothic style in 1294. In 1418, architect Filippo Brunelleschi received a commission to build the dome. He traveled to Rome with the sculptor Donatello to study architecture; there, the two artists investigated various Roman ruins to learn about the design and proportion of buildings, as well as the construction of arches and columns.
Although Brunelleschi never duplicated classical features, he borrowed ideas from the ancient ruins and incorporated them into the design of his dome. The Duomo and its surrounding buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 890 sites throughout the world.
The fact that the cathedral has an intricate brick dome reveals the planners desired to distance themselves from the traditional Gothic buttresses so prevalent in the North.
