Church Architecture

Florence Cathedral
Artist: Arnolfo di Cambio , Giotto
1296 -1436 Architecture

Florence Cathedral is located in the birthplace of the Renaissance and has an extensive history of innovation in art and architecture. It’s one of the biggest churches in Italy and is one of the most remarkable landmarks in the city, mainly because of its massive dome.

It was built on the site of a 5th Century church that was falling down. In 1294, the commission for the new design of the Florence Cathedral was given to Arnolfo di Cambio, an Italian sculptor, and architect. He is the one who made the design of 3 wide naves which end beneath an octagonal dome. Groundbreaking happened in 1296. dri Cambio died in 1302 and Giotto was appointed as the new architect. Completion of the Cathefra was delayed by The Black Death but a lot of the cathedral was finished in the second half of the 14th century, including the Campanile, an enlarged version of the apse, and the side chapels of the cathedral.

An architectural competition was held in the early 15th century which became the culmination of the rivalry between two famous artists and master goldsmiths. It all started when Lorenzo Ghiberti was awarded a commission of two bronze doors in the cathedral’s baptistery in 1401, doors that would later be referred to as the “Gates Of Paradise” by Michelangelo.

Filippo Brunelleschi got his revenge nearly 2 decades later when his design for the cathedral’s dome was chosen as the winner of the competition over Ghiberti’s.

Graz Cathedral
1438 - - 62 Architecture

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Graz Cathedral ( Grazer Dom), also called St. Giles' Cathedral, is the cathedral church in the Austrian city of Graz, dedicated to Saint Giles.

Grenoble Cathedral
10th Century - 19th Century Architecture

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Grenoble Cathedral ( Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Grenoble) is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Grenoble, France. It is a national monument, and is the seat of the Bishop of Grenoble.

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When we think of Christian architecture, we may picture towering cathedrals with intricate stained-glass windows, but the roots of this style are much more humble. The earliest Christian structures were not grand, but rather simple house churches. As Christianity grew, its places of worship grew in size and intricacy.

The transition from early Christian to medieval architecture paralelled societal and religious changes. The Romanesque style, characterized by its rounded arches and massive walls, was followed by the Gothic style with its pointed archs, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.

Christian architecture has created some of the world’s most iconic structures. These buildings all share a common thread: they are physical manifestations of the Christian faith.

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