CHAPTER III.

THE CITY OF FLORENCE TO THE BEGINNING OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

Situation and Origin of Florence—Roman Times and the Early Part of the Middle Ages—Florence before and in the Time of Dante—Architecture in the Thirteenth Century—Towers—Rubacon Bridge—Churches—Sta. Maria Novella and Sta. Croce—Enlargement of the Town and Third Wall—Arnolfo di Cambio, called di Lapo—St. Maria del Fiore and Palace of the Signoria—Churches, Hospitals, Castles in the Province—Building of Palaces and Houses—Style of the Churches—Tuscan Gothic—Cimabue and Giotto—Giotto and the Cathedral—Belfry of the Cathedral—Taddeo Gaddi—The Hall of Or San Michele—Enlargement of the Palace of the Podestà—Architecture of the Middle of the Fourteenth Century—Religious Institutions—St. Anne’s Chapel in Or San Michele—New Church-building—Society of Artists—Hall of the Signory (Loggia de Lanzi)—Family Residences—Sculpture—Andrea Pisano and his School—Painting—Andrea di Cione, called Arcagna—Hospitals and Monuments—Filippo Brunelleschi—Church of Sta. Maria del Fiore—The Foundling Hospital (Innocenti)—San Lorenzo—Sto. Spirito—Other Works of Brunelleschi—Dwelling Houses—Streets and Pavements—Sculpture of the Fifteenth Century—Ghiberti and Donatello—Painting—Fra Angelico of Fiesole and Masaccio—General Appearance of the Town—The Environs—Fortified Villas and Monasteries 38