Loggia Love

I came upon information about this intriguing building occupying a corner near Florence's Duomo while researching another post. So in the sure and certain knowledge that it interests noone but me, I record these facts about the Loggia del Bigallo in the Duomo Square in Florence. I was fascinated by the building, but the location was difficult to photograph. Hence, these two memories, photobombed unintentionally by a lot of other soggy tourists. 

The late Gothic building was associated with two benevolent confraternities caring for pilgrims, abandoned children and the indigent that eventually merged into one after financial diffuculties, an efficiency led by Cosimo d'Medici as treasurer of the Bigallo.

The corner location features a two bay loggia; two others were closed in at one point. The structure was built 1352-8 and the second floor was rebuilt after a fire

Here's a closeup. And here's Wikipedia: "two arched bays are richly decorated with bas-reliefs of prophets, angels, the Virtues, a Christ giving the benediction and an Ecce Homo. In 1697 the arches were walled up in order to provide more space for the oratory that is attached to the loggia; the masonry was removed in 1889, revealing the long-hidden decoration. Mullioned windows pierce the walls of the floor above, which was originally richly frescoed and three tabernacles...frame the Madonna and Child, Saint Lucy and Saint Peter Martyr."   I love the deep roof cornice and heavy carved brackets.

Here's a link to a great ArtTrav article about loggias - most of which I have visited in my loggia love affair. 

PS The discovery of the hidden decoration occurred two years after the Duomo was finally given its multicoloured marble facade. Just another illustration of the multilayered history of cities of a certain age.