Brunelleschi's dome, Renaissance dome at Florence Cathedral, Italy
The cupola at Florence Cathedral spans eight sides and forms a landmark over the city center. Its double shell of brickwork supports itself through a system of offset rows, built without visible scaffolding from the outside.
Filippo Brunelleschi began construction in the early 15th century after winning a competition. He completed the structure without wooden supports, a technical solution unknown in Europe at that time.
Inside, fresco painting covers nearly three thousand square meters with scenes of divine judgment, following a tradition of religious art in the city. Visitors walking up the stairs pass close to details that remain invisible from the floor below.
The climb passes through a narrow corridor between the two shells and requires steady footing. Once at the top, the lantern offers views across the old town and surrounding countryside.
Inside the cupola sits a 15th-century astronomical device that channels sunlight through a bronze plate. It allowed observation of celestial movements for centuries and served astronomers as a research tool.
Location: Florence
Inception: 1420
Architects: Filippo Brunelleschi
Creator: Filippo Brunelleschi
Made from material: marble, brick
Part of: Florence Cathedral
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 08:15-19:30; Saturday 08:15-17:15; Sunday,Holidays 12:45-17:15
Phone: +390552302885
Email: opera@operaduomo.firenze.it
GPS coordinates: 43.77270,11.25582
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00
This collection brings together notable domes and cupolas from all continents, signs of diverse architectural traditions extending from the Vatican to Australia, Russia to the United Arab Emirates. From the famous dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to the colorful domes of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg, the Renaissance dome of Florence Cathedral, to the cast-iron dome of the US Capitol in Washington, each structure tells a particular story and reflects the ambitions of its era. These buildings span several centuries of architectural innovation and serve various functions: religious structures like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Côte d'Ivoire, civil buildings such as Oxford's Radcliffe Camera or the Australian Exhibition Palace, and even thermal spas like Budapest’s Széchenyi Baths. Each dome illustrates construction techniques and aesthetic decisions specific to its culture, offering insight into skills that enabled the creation of these monumental coverings.
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Palazzetto Del Bianco
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