Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

On March 25, 1436, the Feast of the Annunciation was held in Florence. This was a particularly enthusiastic celebration, as Pope Eugenius IV was also to consecrate the dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. Together with the government, he proceeded through the streets of Florence on a specially constructed wooden platform. The cathedral was carefully prepared, with the ox-hoist removed as it was no longer needed as the dome neared completion. The cupola was nearly complete after sixteen years of construction, though there was still much to be done. The decorative terracotta and marble were yet to be applied, while the marble lanterna—meaning lantern—was yet to be fitted to the top of the dome. Brunelleschi passed through the streets and received the adoration of the city, having accomplished “an engineering feat whose structural daring was without parallel” (142).

The lantern was a common fixture of many Renaissance domes, admitting light and air to the cathedral. During Brunelleschi’s time, however, there did not yet exist a fixed lantern design. As ever, the Opera del Duomo held a competition and invited people to submit designs for the lantern.