Florence was founded by the Romans on 59 BC along the Arno River. Later, it was a wealthy medieval trading center with multiple bankers managing the wealth of merchants and countries.
The Basilica of St. Maria del Fiore or Duomo (cathedral) was started in 1296 AD and took 140 years to complete. It is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. It can hold 30,000 people at one time.
The exterior of the cathedral was covered with a three color marble facade in 1887. The three colors are white, green, and red marble. The colors are not representative of Italy. The white marble stands for charity, the red for faith, and the green for hope.
The Baptistry (below) is located in the same square directly in front of the cathedral. The 11th century Romanesque octagon shaped structure was the cathedral of the city until 1128. It was dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The building was once used as a Roman temple, but was converted to Christianity.
The purpose of the baptistry is to baptize individuals into the Christian religion. No one that had not been baptized was permitted to enter the cathedral. The door below is where those who had been baptized walked through to reach the cathedral.
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