Brunelleschi's Dome (Vasari)

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore towering above Florence
Picture taken by Cava H.

Filippo Brunelleschi designed and solved the problem of building the massive dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. According to Vasari, the dome “appears equal to the mountains around Florence.” The dome was the highest ever built at the time, and had to be as light as possible. Brunelleschi solved the weight problem by designing a double shelled dome. To better disperse the weight of the dome, Brunelleschi used the herringbone pattern of brickwork that he learned from the Romans. Brunelleschi also invented many devices to aid in the construction of the dome, such as cantilever scaffolding and a hoisting machine. Vasari describes how it was disruptive and time-consuming for workers to go down the dome to eat and drink, so Brunelleschi “found a way to open eating places with kitchens on the dome, where he sold wine as well, and in this fashion no one left the work until the evening.” Brunelleschi's engineering skills, innovations, and devotion enabled him to reach new heights in Renaissance architecture.