Brunelleschi’s Dome: the masterpiece that crowns the Florence Cathedral

Brunelleschi’s Dome is the beating heart of Florence - the magnificent crown of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Known worldwide as Brunelleschi’s Dome, it is universally regarded as one of the greatest feats of engineering and architecture ever accomplished in Europe since the days of the Roman Empire. An eternal “thank you” is owed to its creator, Filippo Brunelleschi, for gifting the world a timeless masterpiece. When it was built, the Dome of Florence Cathedral was the largest in the world — and it still holds the record as the largest masonry dome ever constructed.

The Numbers Behind the Dome

Maximum internal diameter: 45.5 meters

External diameter: 54.8 meters

Total height: 116.5 meters, divided as follows:

- base: 55 meters

- dome: 34 meters 

- drum: 13 meters 

- lantern: 21 meters

The entire structure weighs over 37,000 tons, and it is estimated that more than 4 million bricks were used in its construction. Inside, a staircase of 463 steps leads up to the panoramic terrace, while the golden sphere atop the lantern weighs almost 2 tons (1,981 kg).

The dimensions of the Dome posed an enormous challenge to the architects of the time — no one could find a way to cover the great drum of the Cathedral without risking cracks or collapse.

Filippo Brunelleschi, considered something of an outsider, was not trained as an architect but as a goldsmith and clockmaker. His appointment sparked controversy, yet it proved to be a stroke of genius. While others proposed impractical solutions — such as filling the dome with earth to support it during construction — Brunelleschi drew inspiration from ancient Roman architecture, devising an innovative system of bricks arranged in a “herringbone” pattern.

This technique, combined with the use of a double self-supporting shell, allowed him to build the dome without internal scaffolding, a true revolution for its time. His methods were so advanced that architects and engineers still study the Dome today to fully understand its structural secrets and the logic that guided its creator.

The result is a unique masterpiece, a symbol of the Renaissance and human ingenuity, which continues to inspire and amaze millions of visitors every year.

Visitor highlights: climbing the 463 steps, visitors can admire close-up views of the frescoes of the Last Judgment and enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Florence and the Tuscan hills — an unmissable experience for anyone wishing to discover the city from a truly unique perspective.

Discover our guided tours of the Cathedral and Brunelleschi’s Dome, available with multilingual audio apps or private tours, and experience firsthand the genius and beauty of the Florentine Renaissance!