Capponi Chapel, Renaissance chapel in Oltrarno, Florence, Italy.
The Capponi Chapel is a small vaulted chamber within the Santa Felicita church, defined by rows of classical columns and carefully proportioned arches. The space is topped by a distinctive domed ceiling supported on pendentives that rise from corner piers.
The chapel was constructed in the early 1420s as a commission from the Barbadori family to the architect Filippo Brunelleschi. Its design marked a turning point in Renaissance building, introducing mathematical precision and classical proportions where medieval freedom had previously ruled.
The chapel reflects how wealthy Florentine families displayed their status by commissioning private prayer spaces within the main church. Visitors today see a room designed for personal devotion that also served as a family monument.
The chapel sits within the Santa Felicita church on Via de' Bardi in the Oltrarno district, and is easily spotted once inside. Since it is a functioning religious space, quieter behavior and respectful observation are expected from visitors.
The chapel's ceiling rests on four pendentives, an advanced engineering technique few other builders were using at that time. This solution allowed Brunelleschi to create a smooth geometric transition from the square room below to the round dome above.
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