Cupola del Brunelleschi

The Dome of Filippo Brunelleschi, also known as the Cupola del Brunelleschi, is a significant achievement in engineering and architecture. Brunelleschi's skill is attested to by the fact that this city landmark finished in 1436 and continues to tower over the Duomo even after more than six hundred years.

Climb to the top for some of the most incredible vistas.

THINGS TO DO AT CUPOLA DEL BRUNELLESCHI:

• Admire the dome, which is a work of art in both aesthetics and engineering:

Brunelleschi gained a reputation in Florence as a master of illusions due to his ability to convince people of things that were beyond comprehension.

The construction of the dome sparked years of debate on the 'magic trick that resulted, i.e., how the octagonal dome was able to stand!

To this day, even though voluminous research has been conducted and a great number of novel discoveries have been made, there is still some controversy regarding the ingenious solution that the architect Filippo Brunelleschi came up with.

• Learn about the details of this groundbreaking structure for its era that, in many respects, has never been surpassed:

The 91-meter-high and 45.5-meter-wide cupola of the cathedral, which was constructed between 1420 and 1436, is considered a masterpiece of the Renaissance period.

The Pantheon in Rome inspired the distinctive octagonal form of inner and outer concentric domes that Filippo Brunelleschi designed for the Florence Cathedral. These domes rest on the drum of the cathedral rather than the roof itself.

Four million bricks were used, arranged in successive rings in a herringbone pattern that ran vertically.

• An unforgettable view of one of Europe's most beautiful cities awaits you:

When you look up, you'll see dazzling frescoes painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari in the late 16th century that depict the Giudizio Universale (Last Judgement). As you ascend, a few windows here and there offer glimpses of Florence.