How Was the World's Biggest Dome Built? - Florence Cathedral

Florence Cathedral remained without a dome for more than a century, for nobody was capable of building it, until Filippo Brunelleschi presented a promising solution in 1418, but how did he do it? Join me and discover the secrets of the construction that started the Renaissance.
Subtitles available in several languages.
Ve el vídeo en español: • Cómo se construyó la c...
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The original architect: 00:00
Filippo Brunelleschi: 1:15
The competition: 1:57
Structure of the dome: 4:06
Construction: 7:13
Inside the dome: 8:40
Top of the dome: 9:08
Fresco on the ceiling: 10:12
Hoist: 10:30
Completion: 11:08
The wonder: 11:29

[@ManuelBravo]

What is your favorite Renaissance building?

[@Joshua_Knowles_]

the piazza san marco in venice or florence cathedral 👍👍

[@Nicods]

Brabante's Tempietto di San Pietro in Montorio in Roma.

[@29trent]

The Pazzi Chapel at Sta Croce or the Vasari Corridor

[@Rays_Bad_Decisions]

The largest dome is Hagia Sofia in Istanbul until modern stadiums were built

[@msrjorge1805]

Wow! Magnificent dome and the video with great explanations

[@HenrikoMagnifico]

I can't believe they made Assassin's Creed II in real life

[@johnenglish929]

He was way ahead of his time in terms of concern for the safety of his workers. From memory, only two people dies in the building of the Duomo - sad, but incredibly low compared with the standards at the time. An incredible man. A true genius.

[@FlorentPlacide]

I went to Firenze when I was young and I was awestruck by the mystery and the magnificence of this city. Most of it is so well-preserved you can feel the centuries and the thousands of lives that spent here just by walking the streets. I long to go back and to wander and wonder in the former Republic. Thank you for this video and these amazing shots.

[@scj8863]

8

[@stan.rarick8556]

The view from the Piazzale Michelangelo is much the same as seen in woodcuts from hundreds of years before

[@Avarage_White_Bryan]

Assassin's Creed II

[@1fandik]

Being on top of the dome was the most amazing experience ever. And not to mention climbing and seeing all the skeleton up close. What human hands can do with minimal tools is astounding. È capolavoro costruito per generazioni

[@jusilva6751]

Brunelleschi was such a genius! Amazing video, as always! ❤️

[@ManuelBravo]

He was indeed! Thanks for your comment Ju!

[@argiberico]

I wonder who FLorentines love more, Brunelleschi o Batistuta 😅

[@BauAuslese]

One genius is not enough for a task of this magnitude. You need a crowd of experienced workers who are very well organized. In that aspect the dome is a testimony to cooperation, discipline and maybe to religious faith who led them to take the risk.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

@@ManuelBravo He was the original Renaissance man before Leonardo da Vinci took his crown.

[@danielefabbro822]

Brunelleschi and the Bernini was the two most prolific and illustrious artists of their time.

[@michaelallen5505]

Also amazing was the hoist to lift the thousands of tons of material. It was driven by oxen turning in a circle. It used a special feature for lowering material without the oxen changing direction. Yes, he also invented the reverse gear!

[@maily8388]

I always amazed how the Roman could hoist the building materials up to the hills since most of Italy cities are up hills. There’s only 20% flat land in Italy. Since walking alone uphills we were huffing buffing. On top of that, how could the Roman pumped water uphills and how public fountains water created pressures to pump the water for Romanians to use?

[@lupepedraza8497]

I climbed the Dome. What a marvelous construction!

[@solecipollari]

Lasy month I was visiting Firenze and Italy for the first time in my life (really hope not the only one) and spent my birthday evening climbing the campanile and I was up there and I cried, listening to someone playing Allelujah in the street. Now I watch your video and I'm crying again. That places and experiences are uniques and incredibles. Thank you for this wonderful video! Greets from Córdoba, Argentina. 🙂🙃

[@Ozymandi_as]

First time I've seen one of your videos, just appeared in my feed, and reminded me of my first trip to Florence as a student, many years ago. I dimly remembered that double skin construction, and the stairway that wound through it. And the view from the cupola over those terracotta rooftops. Your explanation of Brunelleschi's ingenuity, and the lessons he'd learnt from classical Rome, was really good. Amazing how intuitive he was, before the maths and physics of calculus and catenaries was available to help him. It seems that like many others, he must have been inspired by Florence. The art, the architecture, the literature and the ideas that came from men who found their way to that city illuminated all of Europe, after centuries under darkness. It's fantastic that so much of what was laid out, built and made 6 centuries ago has survived intact for us to admire and learn from today.

[@starcrib]

Again: your skills at storytelling and production value is absolutely engaging, historical, and factual. Thanks for this. 🌍🌎🌏

[@wadeunderhile7977]

Was there in the late 70s absolutely beautiful and amazing. The old bridge that crosses the river is amazing, a beautiful city

[@pepumarius2006]

when visiting Florence this summer, I wondered what would a construction work genius like Brunelleschi achieve if he lived in modern times? The visit to the top of the dome was a bit... difficult, but oh boy was it worth the effort. All the way up you can marvel at his genius as you can observe details in the construction. Loved each and every moment of it. Great video Manuel!

[@danielefabbro822]

Just go google Renzo Piano.

[@henrylares9269]

Excellent documentary… and that comes from an Architectural History professor. Keep up the good work.

[@myvirtualpresencefyi]

Thank you so much. I visited the dome in 1986. In the 90s I studied Architecture so I'd have said that I was quite knowledgeable about this subject but your video & explanation is on another level. Professionally: thank you. Emotionally: thank you.

[@roberttodd8889]

The amazing thing about the elevator/lift for materials was that Brunelleschi invented a transmission that allowed both raising and lowering of the lift without reversing the horses. They could continue to move the same direction in a circle and the position of the transmission would determine whether the lift was raising or lowering.

[@lancer525]

Oxen, not horses.

[@marcoriglione6819]

i’m from florence, born here, this is a awesome video, thank you ❤

[@HamelinSong]

Fun facts: It took about 140 years to finish this cathedral. The bronze orb fell twice. The thobolate of the dome is ornate only on one of the 8 sides, the rest did not fell, Baccio d'Agnolo created the balcony, but Michelangelo said it was ugly so, offended, he never finished it. Yes, 727 years later, still not finished (take that Sagrada familia!)

[@tc3884]

6:54 when I visited florence, I didn’t read up on the dome before I saw it for the first time. I marvelled at its beauty and the fact that the structures that keep the dome together are hidden under beautiful, colourful marble art. When I saw the part bare wall below the dome I thought I’m lucky to see it because this must be due to restoration works on the marble. How wrong I was ! It’s amazing to learn that they made the choice to leave this part of the wall uncovered. It proves that they knew, people would wanna see a part of structure below the beautiful marble cover. So well thought out !

[@kacperwoch4368]

Honestly I doubt this story, Michelangelo did not own the cathedral to make such decision, far more likely they run out of money and left it unfinished. The facade also remained unfinished for centuries until it was finished.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

As a journeyman woodworker, the sheer class and ingenuity of some solutions people came up with in those days is absolutely inspiring. I recently subscribed to your channel and I'm loving every video so far. Thanks for posting!

[@bwhog]

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant design and execution! What a fascinating look at the structure Brunelleschi was inspired to build and what a tremendous marvel of his day. I'm always fascinated by what people were capable of in the days before highly refined mathematics and structural engineering, not to mention machines to make the work faster and easier if not merely possible in the first place. Magnificent!

[@prototropo]

Thank you, Manuel! Your videos are so beautifully narrated, with such a deep command of architecture theory.

[@brettjohnson6807]

One of my favorite memories is climbing all the stairs in that dome and Giotto's belltower, and the views of the interior and exterior of that amazing dome. If anyone gets the opportunity to do so I highly recommend it! Great video!

[@3399italiano]

Absolutely fantastic video, Manuel ! Thank you so much. Very clear, very detailed and yet succint explanation of how one of Mankind’s masterpieces was built. An absolutely MUST WATCH for anyone planning to visit but also for those who alredy visited !

[@kenjd57]

Thanks for the in-depth history of the dome in Florence.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

Thank you for an amazing video... Even today this would be considered a very technical build. The fact he did it hundreds of years ago is beyond amazing. The Romans thought they had mastered gravity and structures. Brunelleschi definitely exceeded even the best Roman Architecture. Now we know who, where, why, and how it was done.

[@mcswordfish]

Fantastic and interesting video. I've been to Florence twice, climbed the Duomo once, and it remains one of the most spectacular buildings I've ever visited.

[@brunerguy1]

This is the best description of the Dome I've ever seen! Thanks!

[@anupamroy7935]

Excellent work.

[@antoniomonter0]

Manuel, tus videos son una verdadera inspiración, de verdad te admiro muchísimo. Sigue con ese excelente trabajo 🧠

[@williamfahey6066]

Wonderful video ! This is the best, and the most interesting video I have ever seen of the Florence Cathedral Dome. Thank you, Jeff

[@RichieTyndall]

Oh, how I would love to visit Florence and see this wonder for myself. I remember watching a tv series on its construction. Thanks a million for this video.

[@stephenmccallion3407]

Fantastic documentary, and Mr. Bravo is an excellent teacher!

[@MySpace662]

A massive undertaking for it's time, and brilliantly executed.

[@amalkardaly1652]

I cant imagone how proud he must have been to see it finally finished!

[@user-mi8ig6yx6x]

Спасибо, Мануэль! Отличный рассказ о том событии, которое называется: "Постройка купола собора во Флоренции без лесов". Событие это, как вы видите, уникально настолько, что ему не перестают сильно удивляться до сих пор.

[@jeffbrinkerhoff5121]

Before Brunelleschi secured the commission there was a younger rival, Bartolomeo Boromini, also soliciting for the job. I believe the story is told in the book you mention, "Brunelleschi's Dome". Very nice video.

[@robertopinzani6774]

Bartolomeo Boromini? The concorrent of Filippo Lapi was Lorenzo Ghiberti ,initially they lead the built of the dome together , Bartolomeo Borromini never existed, maybe you refer to Francesco Borromini but he lived two centuries after Filippo Lapi ( Brunelleschi or Filippo di Brunellesco Lapi, Ser Pippo for us the florentines) Or maybe you refer to Michelozzo di Bartolomeo learner under Ghiberti , who lived and operated in Florence in middle 1400 being the architet of Cosimo il vecchio. Study bro.... you and fives who puts likes on your comment.

[@robertopinzani6774]

Son genti da sempre di cervice dura Quest americani di schiatta todesca E quando commentano d arte o cultura Cazzate son l unica cosa che gli esca Dimostrano sempre la loro natura E' l unica cosa che ben gli riesca Commentano scrivon da grandi soloni E mostrano d esser dei pori poponi

[@pietromar632]

@@robertopinzani6774 HUMILITAS!

[@xhorxheetxeberria-td1hu]

@@pietromar632 Why? Facts are important. Ignorance should NEVER be tolerated EVER.

[@danielsantos3124]

Nice video! You might be interested in knowing that after a recent restauration, the romanic cupola of the Zamora Cathedral in Spain, finished in 1174, it was found to be the first double casquet cupola so far in history of architecture. It's a very nice cupola of bizantinian influence.

[@kenichinishikawa7007]

This video is marvelous. I saw many videos about the dome but this video is the best. I need to visit the dome and appreciate it by myself. Thanks.

[@andreadanaegomez5396]

Me encantó! Súper bien explicado y cuando fui a Florencia me había quedado con la duda! Muchas gracias

[@charbelsamaha1409]

love the videos! Keep up the great work

[@georgebernstein12]

It’s the most beautiful, awe inspiring building I’ve ever seen & the gates of paradise being in the complex makes it a must see while in Firenze !

[@goatboy7698]

your pronunciation of the names is almost perfect, good job dude!

[@tnd7216]

Very impressed with attention to details in your description and meticulous videography!

[@jovanmilenkovic2238]

What an amazing video! Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and enrich our lives! 😊

[@hyderhode]

Thank you for this video. I read Brunelleschi's Dome in preparation for my trip to Florence several years ago. This video was a perfect review of both the book and that trip, reminding me to read the book again, and to visit Florence again too.

[@DouDouMa]

Thank you for the sharing! Real amazing to understand how it was built. Thank you!

[@skicrz]

Terrific explanation and minitour of one of the Renaissance most beautiful buildings. The Duomo is so much more breathtaking in person and the climb up theCampanile to see the Dome is worth every step and a better view than the climb up the Dome.

[@joesaunders9337]

Fantastic video, fantastic channel! Thank you for this 👍

[@blingiy]

You did a wonderful video about this monumental work, and being a builder and I have visited Florence, I was very interested in how they accomplished such a incredible task!!

[@andressandoval2494]

Excelente video. Muchas gracias Manuel por compartirlo. Seguro hay detrás una gran dósis de esfuerzo e investigación dedicada. En estos días resulta increíble pensar siquiera en elevar una obra monumental de esta índole sin la ayuda de las máquinas y la actual tecnología de los materiales. ¡¡Una obra sencillamente notable!!

[@chrismaggio7879]

Wonderful documentary!

[@thomash6853]

Very informative, great video as usual!

[@DavidMcCoul]

Loved the video, and Florence is my favorite Italian city. Bravo, Manuel!

[@josephgonzales412]

Excellent lesson!

[@dantegabrielittesor4483]

Otro precioso video Manu! Enhorabuena!

[@jko7654]

For me the highlight was the last judgment fresco. Just breathtaking and in awe.

[@frankschmitzer5824]

Very wonderful, please forgive me for an earlier comment I made regarding your voice . . . I am sorry. After I actually listened to what you were saying and your truly inspired explanations of these extraordinary buildings, I realized that you are one of the best historians of architecture on the Internet. A million sincere thank yous.

[@GregoryJacksonPhD]

Brilliant, clear descriptions. Thank you.

[@hazhoner5727]

The genius of Italians spread among all human fields

[@roxanner1426]

Genial amo la arquitectura y tus videos gracias desde México

[@aspensulphate]

Wonderful video! I read Ross King's book some years ago, and it does go into great detail. But your video gives a much more visceral experience of the Cathedral and Dome, which I enjoyed greatly!

[@ClassicHolic]

What an absolutely awesome video and channel. Thank you so much!

[@shinola228]

Great video. Truly amazing how massive it is and well engineered. That latern alone must weigh hundreds of tons.

[@matthewb3113]

Great video, and enjoyed learning the engineering used in the past.

[@carolynmcpherson2667]

Very well done! I would highly recommend this to everyone who has been there, and to anyone who wants to visit in the future. Bravo!

[@italianorgan3868]

Great video, bravo!

[@kathleenklaiber7967]

Fantastic storytelling! Really interesting! Thank-you so much!

[@vergelsevilla3594]

Manuel, you deserve 10 million subs. I love hearing the stories behind medieval architecture.

[@geckoman1011]

This was very well made. Excellent visuals.

[@matthewclatworthy3597]

Great video, thank you ! 👏👏🙏

[@dalechodorow7465]

Excellent video! Extremely well explained, verbally and graphically. I had bought Ross King's "Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture" in 2014, right after I had visited Florence. This video is a superb presentation of the main technical details presented in the book.

[@HengtimeConsult]

An Excellent documentation, Manuel. Thank you for the deteiled insights of the great engineering involved to building the cupola!

[@sivelti3914]

Interesting video about a truly interesting piece of architecture.

[@martinholden2281]

Excellent documentary, thanks for sharing MB.

[@brentonjoseph]

Brilliant video, thank you so much!💜 I love your approach!

[@brentonjoseph]

I re-watch this all the time and it never gets old. 😌

[@iliemarculescu6363]

So beautiful, thank you very much !

[@michaelkirkby6306]

Beautiful subject matter and a very well done video. Thank you.

[@williamcotten4539]

I always enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@alexshchet]

This is a brilliant review of the engineering marvel and genius. Thank you!

[@ShortandWide]

I remember climbing up to to top of the dome when I was in Florence four years ago. I use climbing because that was not an easy assent. I nearly had a claustrophobia attack on those tight spiral staircases on the way up. The view was beyond worth it

[@josephleonard6695]

i would fight my claustrophobia to get to the top of that

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

Imagine having to build that and over 500 years ago...no A/C , heat, restaurant served meals, etc.

[@craigkeller]

Excellent presentation. Thank you 🙏!

[@Sailor-Dave]

Amazing understanding of architectural needs far before most modern architectural principles were founded. Made great use of existing materials along with novel construction techniques.

[@josephiantorno3391]

Thank you!

[@dakilla3228]

Hi Manuel, these analysis are brilliant keep them up

[@patboyd1587]

Wonderful video. Love all your videos. That dome is a product of genius and a tribute to the people of Florence who had it built.

[@malvarmarakontobro]

Amazing video with a very clear explanation

[@sivayamsiva9343]

Amazing, wonderful architecture really great, thanks for sharing 🙏

[@qno-oj3py]

Thank you for making this video.

[@brianhayes8986]

I just just stumbled upon your channel and I love your vlogs and your history

[@douglasthompson2740]

Very well done video as well as very informative. Enjoyable.

[@melaniemccool1762]

Thank you so much. This is such an interesting and well done video!

[@ronaldhorton2438]

Brilliant video, thank you. Make more you have a really good style.

[@edmundoferreira-rocha7400]

Thank you for sharing!

[@angelcorrea5268]

Great documentary, I did learn a lot about the dome in let's than 15 min amazing, thank you! Please do more of these, very need it indeed! Congratulations and hello from London!

[@A_Eichler]

That was a fantastic video! Thank you.

[@petrapetrakoliou8979]

Nice video! Brunelleschi is also the one who finally understood optically how perspective works which was fundamental for painters of the "Renaissance", an even more important achievement perhaps. You could explain next how the rest of the dome was built so that we see also the beginning not just the end.

[@christopherderrah3294]

I was there in the fall of '88. I was lucky in that I walked up to the top with a young, enthusiastic architectural student who explained the construction to me.

[@stevenreichertart]

Thanks you for your insightful video with beautiful narration.

[@rafaelcortez7724]

Great video mario Bravo Well presented and well said

[@chloegracexlilysunday8561]

Thank you for your insight and knowledge of how everything is contracted and how it came about. God Bless you