The Italian Renaissance is considered to be the most vigorous and exciting time period in the history of Italian architecture. Architecture during the renaissance Italy transformed the countries great cities into centers for learning as well as new ideas. Clergyman, were not the only ones who searched for understanding regarding how the world worked; other brilliant and inventive individuals outside religion were involved. The ever increasing wealth of city-states along with grander schemes of expression of God's glory and coupled with civic pride, led to creation of secular architecture that has no parallel elsewhere in Europe.1 Such cities as Florence and Venice were the centers for harboring brilliant artists and their ideas. While the painters studied geometry and perspective, the sculptors studied anatomy and the world around them. One thing for certain, these individuals were tremendously instrumental in the development of renaissance architecture in Florence and Venice during the Italian Renaissance.

             It is a bold statement when people say that the 15th century renaissance in Italy was born in Florence and they would not be wrong. Being one of the powers in Italy during that time, Florence shared in its own unique conditions and influences. The craftsmanship of the Florentine artists demonstrated that their perceptions as well as their technical skills were highly developed and evident in their work. The architectural style of Florence owed much of its interest to the contributions made by painters and sculptors using baptistery doors, bas reliefs, statutes, and colored glazed reliefs in the terra cotta.2 The ornamental designs were dependent on the personality of the artist; however, the architectural designs were the product of the individual architect as opposed to a school of craftsmen that were working on the traditional lines.

             The large blocks of stone and marble, supplied by quarries of Tuscany, which were easily obtained, were considerable influences on style and architecture of Florentine landscape.