The Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore takes the opportunity to show the public, on the media and social networks, a preview of the spectacular images of the Museum’s Sala del Paradiso taken for the first time with a drone by the photographer Fabio Muzzi, which make visible to everyone the extraordinary heritage, inserted in an innovative and educational setup.
In the Hall of Paradise (36 x 20 x 20 metres) the originals of the three majestic doors of the Baptistery are preserved, including that of Paradise from which the hall takes its name, and a colossal scale model (in resin and marble 1:1 of the ancient façade of the Florence Cathedral (built by Arnolfo di Cambio starting from 1296, never finished and destroyed in 1587) with the sculptures still existing including those by Arnolfo di Cambio.
The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Florence, directed by Timothy Verdon, was completely renovated and expanded at the end of 2015, based on an architectural project by Adolfo Natalini and Guicciardini & Magni architects. The museum preserves a unique collection in the world of sculpture from the Middle Ages and the Florentine Renaissance: 750 works including statues and reliefs in marble, bronze and silver, including masterpieces by the major artists of the time from Michelangelo to Donatello, Arnolfo di Cambio, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Andrea Pisano, Antonio del Pollaiolo, Luca della Robbia Andrea del Verrocchio.. The Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore acquired a neighboring historic building, Palazzo Compagni, in 2022, which will allow it to double the museum space and exhibit other works that are preserved today in warehouses.
INFO
Every year since 1977, ICOM has organized International Museum Day worldwide with the aim of involving the public and making them aware of the role of these important institutions. “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding and cooperation and peace between peoples”.
In Europe, the European Night of Museums has been celebrated since 2011. The event, created in 2005 by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, invites museums to open their doors to the public until 1am and for free. By welcoming the public at night, museums offer a new perspective on their collections, applying a more creative and sensual approach.
