Brunelleschi’s Dome to Be Equipped with New Monitoring System

A major technological upgrade is underway at one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks. The Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore has announced the launch of a new, advanced monitoring system for the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and completed in 1436. The initiative will improve the detection of structural deformations, movements, and vibrations, offering a more detailed understanding of how the dome behaves over time.

The new system will be installed alongside the existing monitoring infrastructure, which has been in place in various forms since 1934 and was first automated in 1987. Unlike the current setup, which focuses on tracking the evolution of major cracks, the new sensors will be distributed evenly across the entire structure. They will measure angular deformation, anomalous accelerations and vibrations, and even the impact of temperature fluctuations on the ancient masonry. A 3D laser scanner will also be used to map the dome with high precision, adding geometric data to the structural analysis.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with a total cost of €662,000. Funding comes from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the technology firm Nowtech Solutions. The research plan was developed jointly by the University of Florence’s Department of Statistics, Computer Science, and Applications (DISIA) and the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore.

Titled Smart Management of Structural Health Monitoring for Italian Heritage: The Brunelleschi Case, the project is being carried out by Nowtech Solutions and IP Ingegneria. The work will proceed under the direction of the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore and the supervision of the regional authority for archaeology, fine arts, and landscape. Several departments of the University of Florence, including DISIA, DICEA, and DST, are providing scientific consultation.

Brunelleschi’s dome remains the largest masonry dome in the world and one of the greatest feats of Renaissance engineering. Built without centering, its construction was a bold experiment in architectural innovation. While the dome has stood the test of time for nearly six centuries, experts have long been aware of structural stresses that require continuous monitoring.

With the new system in place, the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore will not only enhance the safety and preservation of this historic monument, but also lay the groundwork for a digital data platform that could support future research and conservation efforts.

(Photo by Cinzia via Flickr)

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