Looking down occasionally can be truly amazing
The floor of Florence cathedral. OPA stands for Opera del Duomo, the venerable institution in charge of the cathedral works.
When entering the Duomo, the cathedral of Santa Maria Fiore in Florence, the natural tendency is to look up, into the soaring space of the dome, the capolavoro of my hero Filippo Brunelleschi 600 years ago. Its design and construction is one of the most impressive feats of architecture and engineering ever*.
Statue of Filippo Lippi, looking up at his greatest creation, the dome of Florence cathedral. Image by djedj from Pixabay
But next time you visit, as soon as you come through the main door into the nave, look down at the floor. (That’s it in the picture at the top.) The 16th century pavimento, mainly the work of Baccio d’Agnolo and Francesco da Sangallo, is a remarkable achievement in its own right.
The first section of flooring, just inside the main portal is the most astonishing of all. You will see that the multi-coloured marble motifs in the octagonal pavement get smaller until they reach the central point.
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You can admire the precision of the stonework and the knowledge of mathematics that went into its construction, apparently inspired by the inlays in Turkish carpets, fashionable among the rich in 16th century Florence. But to enjoy the truly remarkable aspect of this floor, you need to fly with me, virtually, high into the nave.
Beware of vertigo!
Looking down, you’ll see this extraordinary three-dimensional effect, enhanced by having people in the picture;
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We are often told to look up with this we progress through life, but occasionally looking down can give you a whole new perspective!
Incidentally, It’s said that the image is enjoyed by drug-users, since it creates an enhanced spatial awareness. I have no personal knowledge of this, but I hope you enjoyed your trip today.
*Brunelleschi’s dome features a great deal in that intriguing detective story A Matter of Perspective! Please click here to learn more.
