{"id":2819,"date":"2025-01-03T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestfreetour.com\/?p=2819"},"modified":"2024-12-22T14:42:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-22T13:42:06","slug":"secret-annunciation-in-giotto-bell-tower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestfreetour.com\/es\/2025\/01\/03\/secret-annunciation-in-giotto-bell-tower\/","title":{"rendered":"Secret Annunciation in Giotto Bell Tower"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Located on the west facade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, near Giotto’s Bell Tower, a fascinating fourteenth-century bas-relief sculpture represents the Annunciation. This artwork is noteworthy not only for its artistry but also for its intriguing placement. The rectangular relief seems to defy logical positioning when considering the alignment of the surrounding marble slabs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Unique Placement Explained<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The relief\u2019s seemingly unusual placement can likely be explained by its proximity to Giotto’s Bell Tower and its alignment with the center of the second box. Historically, the area between the bell tower and the cathedral was not accessible, just as it remains closed today by a recently restored gate. The bas-relief of the Annunciation extends to the right end of the box, where a seat is located, suggesting its connection to a burial site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Inscription and Its Historical Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An inscription on the white marble frame beneath the bas-relief provides further context. Though now slightly off-center relative to the artwork, it references the sepulcher of the Laudesi Company, a Florentine confraternity devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The inscription reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“S ‘Sotietatis Laudensium Beate Marie Virginis Qui Congregantur in Ecclia chia reparate year D.NI McCCX de Mese Noveber”<\/em>
(Translation: “Sepulcher of the Laudesi society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who gather in the church of Santa Reparata. Year of our Lord 1310, in November.”)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This indicates that the sepulcher was originally installed in 1310 but was likely moved during the construction of Giotto\u2019s Bell Tower. The current inscription is believed to be a replica of the original.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attribution to Florentine Masters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The creator of the bas-relief remains unidentified, but art historians speculate that it may have been crafted by one of Florence’s minor masters of the time. These artists also contributed to other elements of the old facade and Giotto\u2019s Bell Tower. Possible candidates include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n