As a former structural engineer, it is only natural for me to geek out on the construction of the famous dome, just before our planned visit there. The dome spans 140 feet, without any obvious means of support, and was built in Florence in the 15th century, on Santa Maria del Fiore.

Filippo Brunelleschi was a jeweler and clockmaker, and was the one who solved the conundrum of how to build this “unsupported” dome, making him the first architect in history whose name has been remembered.

It turns out he was not only brilliant, but quite a character, and the intrigue of the story is made further complex by rivalries and temperament.  There are social politics here too, as well as plenty of technical discussion of hoists, perspective, and how an arch bears a load.

I look forward to seeing this dome now in person, and enjoyed this rather dry and plodding– but short– book about how it came to be constructed. It is interesting to me this book had such widespread popular acclaim when it came out in 2013. It has been on my to-be-read list ever since then.

You too might like Brunelleschi’s Dome.  Like me, you might especially want to read it (or listen to it as I did) if planning on visiting Florence. I give it four stars.

Hopefully soon I’ll be there in person and have photos of it to share with you on this blog!