Brunelleschi's dome
Introduction
The dome of Santa Maria del Fiore or dome of Santa Maria della Flor, also known as Brunelleschi's dome or dome of the Duomo of Florence, constitutes the cover "Cover (construction)") of the transept "Cross (architecture)") of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. It was the largest dome in the world after the fall of the Roman Empire[1] and is still considered the largest ever made in masonry.[2] It was designed, designed and built by Filippo Brunelleschi, who with this work began the Italian and Florentine Renaissance in architecture.[3] It is considered one of the most important constructions built in Europe since Roman times, due to the fundamental relevance it has played for the subsequent development of architecture and the modern conception of architecture. construction.[4][5].
The dome has a pointed shape and is made up of eight ogival "Cloth (architecture)" faces or panels, covered with red clay tiles and bordered by eight "Nerve (architecture)") ribs of white stone. The entire structure rests on a drum "Drum (architecture)") also octagonal, pierced by eight oculi for the illumination of the interior. The ribs converge in an upper octagonal ring, crowned by a lantern "Lantern (architecture)"), an element that also collaborates in the entry of light. The interior is made up of two caps or domes, one interior and one exterior, built with brick arranged in a herringbone shape. They are connected to each other by means of an internal grid formed by ribs and ribs "Nerve (architecture)"), which supports the dome and contributes to its stability. The gap between both caps forms a space through which one ascends to the lantern.[6] The exterior of the drum is covered with polychrome marbles and with an incomplete balustrade that was only built on one of its faces. The inner face of the dome is decorated with fresco and tempera paintings that represent the Last Judgment.[7].
The proportions of the complex are monumental. The maximum height of the dome is 116.50 meters, the maximum diameter of the inner cap is 45.5 meters and the outer cap is 54.8 meters. The base of the fascias is 55 meters from the ground. The drum, 13 meters high and 43 meters wide, is located 54 meters from the ground.[8] The inner cap has a thickness at its base of 2.20 meters, which decreases to 2 meters at the top, while the outer cap has a thickness that goes from one meter to 0.40 meters. The upper closing ring of the dome is 86.70 meters from the ground.[6] The lantern is 6 meters in diameter and 21 meters high. The trapezoidal panels measure 17.50 meters in length and have a height of 32.65 meters.[6] The total estimated weight of the dome is about 30,000 tons[9] and it is estimated that more than 4 million bricks were needed for its construction.[10].