Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence Jun. 27, 2024

Welcome to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance! Let the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore transport you through time. More than just a church, this Gothic structure, with its red-tiled dome, is steeped in centuries of history. Built over an older cathedral dedicated to Santa Reparata, construction began in 1296 under the supervision of architect Arnolfo di Cambio. Filippo Brunelleschi, an Italian architect and designer, engineered its dome, which is the largest brick dome ever constructed. It was built without the support of traditional wooden frameworks; its completion in 1436 was the final stage of the cathedral"s construction.

© Elena Pueyo/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Red rock country
Fragrant fields as far as the eye can see
Jun. 27, 2025Splendid leaf frog

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar. 5, 2025Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
Like paint on a canvas
Feb. 19, 2024Toledo, Spain
Jul. 2, 2024Italica, an old Roman city in Santiponce, Andalusia, Spain
Sep. 18, 2024Gujō Hachiman Castle, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Aug. 12, 2024World Elephant Day
Jul. 27, 2025Barracudas at Shark Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Jun. 22, 2025World Rainforest Day
Apr. 15, 2024World Art Day
Roll out the red carpet
Feb. 18, 2025The Great Blue Hole, Belize
Its puffling season!
Apr. 4, 2025Taktsang Palphug Monastery, Bhutan
What are these unique creatures?
Blurring the lines with wearable art
Look up, incoming…
May 16, 2024International Day of Light
May 2, 2025Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Happy Canada Day!
Sep. 10, 2023Grandparents Day
Apr. 16, 2025Anniversary of Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, United States
Jan. 14, 2024Whooper swans
May 3, 2025Happy International Astronomy Day!
‘Only one Earth’
Oct. 5, 2024World Teachers Day
Feb. 12, 2024Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise, Isabela Island
Apr. 18, 2025International Day for Monuments and Sites
A salty situation
Say hello to these halophytes!
A view that’s out of this world