Round of Brunelleschi, Renaissance church building in Florence, Italy
The Rotonda di Santa Maria degli Angeli is an octagonal church building with a central dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1434. The interior follows Brunelleschi's original concept inspired by the Pantheon, while the exterior was modified during a major restoration in the 1930s.
Construction began in 1434 under commission from the heirs of military leader Filippo degli Scolari, but financial constraints soon halted the project. It represents a key moment in Brunelleschi's exploration of centrally planned buildings that would shape Renaissance architecture.
The name derives from a devotion to angels that was practiced here, and the connected convent served as a school for sons of Florentine merchant families. Visitors today can observe how the spatial arrangement reflects the religious and educational purpose it once held.
The building is easy to reach and located near other major Florentine cultural sites, making it a good stop on a larger walking tour. The interior space flows well and offers clear views of the architectural details, particularly the dome and the geometric walls.
This building was one of the first Renaissance structures with an octagonal core surrounded by eight auxiliary spaces arranged evenly around the central dome. This geometric system was innovative and later influenced many other centrally planned buildings across Europe.
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