The magnificent museum of Florence Cathedral reopened just in time for this week’s visit to the city by Pope Francis, having been closed for three years for renovation
The centrepiece of the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is a faithful, actual-size recreation of the original medieval cathedral facade, dismantled in 1578. The recreated facade and the fabulous displays of statues and reliefs in newly created galleries enable visitors to see the interplay of styles between ancient Rome, the medieval period and the Renaissance that was once the hallmark of Florence.The acquisition of several neighbouring buildings, including an eighteenth-century theatre, has added 10,000sq ft to the previous exhibition space of 7,500sq ft, allowing many sculptures and reliefs created for the cathedr
12 November 2015, The Tablet
A house of many talents
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