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From Hellenistic Greece to Renaissance Italy, the Cupola has become a readily identifiable feature of beautiful architecture. Yet it is not only found in Athens or Florence. The Cupola is also an everyday feature of many buildings in New England and other areas in North America. What purpose does this architectural detail, which has survived for hundreds of years, serve and what took it from ancient Europe to modern America?

Many things were lost in the time-span between the golden ages of Greece (1150 BC) and Rome (510 BC). Many of the advances made by Grecian peoples lay dormant for centuries until the scholars of the Italian renaissance re-discovered' the works of the past masters. It was in this manner that the Cupola was re-introduced as an architectural element and this re-birth has lasted in various guises to this day. What led to its second discovery' was the building of the Cathedral of Duomo in Florence, Italy. Upon its completion it was found that a section of the roof still needed to be closed in. Sculptor and architect, Fillipo Brunelleschi re-appropriated the Cupola from its classical origins in Grecian architecture and was the creator of what is now one of the iconic examples of the architectural Cupola.

The Cupola is usually a circular or square building varying from very small to extremely large which sits atop another building or dome. The very small can be simply ones that resemble beehives on top of a barn while the Cupola which adorns St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City constitutes the other extreme. The Cupola fulfils many functions. Over the centuries in which it has been used it has come to be known by various different names and this is chiefly because of the multitude of different uses it has.

As with any tall building in any city in the world it becomes a magnet for people who wish to see the bigger picture. People's desire to get a good view' has not diminished from the times of ancient Greece right up to now. In this vein the Cupola became very popular for people who wished to look'. Erected on top of various tall buildings, these Cupolas are called Belvederes' which is an Italian word meaning fair view' or Widow's walk'. Obviously to accommodate people these Cupolas have to quite large and must have a staircase from which to access them.

Another Type of Cupola is one which has glass windows and is equipped with a light (electric light or, in times gone by, a candle). These Cupolas usually feature on a prominent building and,

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