These bronze Renaissance doors were decorated by Lorenzo
Ghiberti who won the commision in a competition. He spent 21 years on the
North Doors and 28 years (from 1424 to 1452) on the East Doors. The panels
depict stories from the Old Testament. The legend is that Michelangelo himself
said they were so beautiful that they could serve as the Gates of Paradise.
The panels on the doors are copies, the originals are now on display in the
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo where they were taken to be protected from the
effects of pollution.
