Curiosities and mysteries of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Intrigue, rivalries, murders, curiosities and legends can be found on every corner of the Duomo. Did you think it was “just” art? Nothing could be further from the truth! Discovering the curiosities of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore goes far beyond architecture, art and even history, and today we’re going to reveal some of its best-kept secrets.

5 curiosities about the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Brunelleschi’s public competition and the legend of the egg

The cathedral was almost finished, except for one small detail: there was no way to close the huge space left for the dome. To try to solve this, in 1418 the city of Florence launched a competition. They wanted a technical solution that would make it possible to cover the enormous drum without the use of wooden centering, something no architect had achieved.

Among the participants, Filippo Brunelleschi stood out, an artist without formal architectural training whose revolutionary proposal challenged traditional norms and, in turn, gave rise to the legend of the egg.

According to Vasari, in order to explain his method without revealing it entirely – since he feared his idea would be stolen – Brunelleschi challenged the judges of the competition to make an egg stand upright on a flat surface. When no one managed to do it, he took the egg and gave a light tap to its base, making it stand vertically. The judges protested: “We could have done that too!” To which Brunelleschi replied: “Exactly, if I had explained it to you, you could also build the dome.”

Thanks to his cleverness, ingenuity and perseverance, he was awarded the project, and today his dome remains a wonder of the world. All thanks to an egg!

It was built around another church

Many visitors do not know that the monumental Santa Maria del Fiore was erected over the remains of an ancient early Christian church called Santa Reparata. This church was one of the first basilicas in the city and, although it was expanded over the centuries, it was eventually considered insufficient for the growing prestige of medieval Florence.

Instead of completely demolishing Santa Reparata, construction work on the new cathedral began by literally enveloping the earlier building. For several decades, both structures coexisted until, finally, when the dome was completed, Santa Reparata was demolished to make way entirely for the new structure.

Today, the foundations and archaeological remains of Santa Reparata can be visited in the underground area of the cathedral, offering a fascinating insight into the historical layers that make up this sacred place.

Brunelleschi and Ghiberti: a story of rivalry

For centuries, Florence was a hotbed of genius, but also of egos and rivalries. One of the most notorious was the conflict between Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti.

The two artists had already faced each other in the famous competition to design the doors of the Baptistery, in which Ghiberti emerged victorious. Years later, when Brunelleschi was chosen to build the dome, the council decided that Ghiberti should participate as a “co-director” of the project, probably to balance power. Brunelleschi, however, did not take this well.

It is said that Brunelleschi pretended to be ill so that Ghiberti would be forced to continue the work alone. The result was so disastrous that the council removed Ghiberti from the position, and from then on Brunelleschi had full control of the project, carrying out his vision without interference. A second master plan by Brunelleschi!

Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria: power carved in stone

One of the darkest episodes in Florentine history took place inside this very cathedral. On 26 April 1478, during the Easter Sunday mass, the famous Pazzi Conspiracy was carried out.

The powerful Pazzi family, together with other enemies of the Medici, planned a coup against Lorenzo de’ Medici and his brother Giuliano. During the ceremony, several conspirators attacked the brothers. Giuliano was stabbed to death in front of the high altar, while Lorenzo managed to escape, although wounded, and took refuge in the sacristy.

This event is not only one of the curiosities of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, but also a turning point in Florentine politics and a bloody stain on the history of the Duomo.

A large bull’s head with horns on the façade

Those who closely observe the side façade of the Duomo on Via Ricasoli may spot a curious detail: a sculpted bull’s head with large horns peeking out among the reliefs and decorations.

This element has several interpretations. One of them is that it was placed there as a tribute to the draft animals that helped in the construction of the cathedral, especially during the works on the dome. Another, more mischievous version suggests it was a kind of artistic revenge.

According to this legend, a master stonemason working on the façade had an affair with the wife of a nearby baker. When the affair was discovered, the baker denounced the infidelity and the master was dismissed. In retaliation, the sculptor allegedly carved the bull’s head with the horns pointing directly at the bakery, a mocking reference to the betrayed husband. Could it be that Renaissance gossip really was carved in stone?

Visit the Duomo and enjoy these stories!

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is full of legends, anecdotes and dramatic episodes. Every stone and every sculpture preserves a fragment of Florence, a city that for centuries has been synonymous with beauty, power and creativity.

If you want to discover all these secrets in person and be amazed by the majesty of the Duomo of Florence, the tickets we offer will allow you to uncover these and many other stories, whether with an engaging audioguide or accompanied by an expert guide. Don’t miss your visit and discover the curiosities of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore!