What part did Giotto play in building Florence Cathedral’s bell tower?

On April 12, 1334, Giotto was appointed capomastro (surveyor) of the Duomo and architect to the city of Florence, a role granted in recognition of his fame as a painter rather than for specialized architectural expertise.1

In his capacity as architect, Giotto designed the campanile, or bell tower, of the cathedral. He began the construction of the tower on July 19, 1334. While the structure was later altered, it is recognized as the first building in which the roles of the designer and the builder were separated, with Giotto providing the design and cathedral masons executing the construction. Additionally, it is believed that Giotto may have designed some of the reliefs that were carved by Andrea Pisano for the tower. Following Giotto's death, the construction of the bell tower was continued by Pisano and subsequently by a series of other architects.123