church



The Santa Maria Del Fiore Cathedral dome (Il Duomo)(background) and base of the Campanile (foreground). Florence, Italy. The dome is difficult to photograph due to the proximity of surrounding buildings. The design of the dome was awarded in 1421 to Filippo Brunelleschi, a goldsmith by training, in a competition. It took 14 years to build.

The diameter of the dome is 45.4 m, its apex is 90 m above the floor and is capped with a 26 m high lantern. The dome, built on an octagonal drum, consists of inner and outer shells and is Gothic in form. It is considered one of the masterpieces of engineering.

| period | description |
|---|---|
| 1296–1472 | planning and construction period |
| from 1420 | Bau der Kuppel durch Brunelleschi |
