TRAVEL
Brunellesschi’s Dome
In contrast to Venice (where we found the city's personality separate from its most acclaimed sites), the focus of Florence is definitely the Duomo (cathedral), which dominates the City Centre. Filippo Brunelleschi completed its massive brick cupola in 1436, and his remarkable architectural accomplishment was to build the largest dome of his time without scaffolding. Some have suggested the immense size was in keeping with Florentine aspiration to be superior in all things. If that were Brunelleschi's motivation, he surely succeeded, and I think this and the other amazing artistic achievements during the Renaissance period (e.g., Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's brilliant paintings at the Uffizi Gallery, and Ghiberti's glorious East Doors of the Baptistery) established a heritage of greatness which still hovers over the historic district — invisible yet evident, like Hawaii's "aloha spirit." Today, Florentine excellence
The Duomo
A Helvetia & Bristol Suite
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