Famous Italian Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi created this epic engineering marvel atop Florence's Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. He won a 1419 competition to design the masterpiece, which was the largest stone dome roof ever constructed with a diameter of 143 feet. Brunelleschi died in 1446 and the dome was finally completed by his friend Andrea del Verrocchio in 1469. Brunelleschi's statue can be seen at Piazza del Duomo looking up at his masterful white marble octagon-shaped lantern topping the dome with eight flying buttresses and eight arch windows. Brunelleschi is considered a genius as many believed building a dome to top the cathedral was a near impossible feat.
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