Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence (Italy)

Santa Maria del Fiore, built by Arnolfo di Cambio, is the third church in the world (after San Pietro in Rome, San Paolo in London) and the largest in Europe at the time of its completion in the 15th century: it 153 meters long, 90 meters wide at the cross and 90 meters from the floor when opening the lantern. It, the third and last Florentine church, was given in 1412 to Santa Maria del Fiore with a clear reference to the lily, the city's symbol.

It rises above the second church, which the Florentine Christians had originally dedicated to Santa Reparata.

The remarkable difference of style revealed in its parts is evidence of the variation of taste over a long period of time elapsed from inception to perfection.