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In architecture, a cupola () is a relatively small, most often
File:White marble cupolas cap minarets at the Tomb of Jahangir.jpg, White marble cupolas cap minarets at the Tomb of Jahangir in Lahore, Pakistan
File:Montefiascone cupola.JPG, Cupolas on the towers of Montefiascone Cathedral, Italy.
File:Cupola ceiling Synagogue Gyor Hungary.jpg, Interior of cupola ceiling in the old
In architecture, a cupola () is a relatively small, most often dome
A dome () is an architectural element similar to the hollow upper half of a sphere. There is significant overlap with the term cupola, which may also refer to a dome or a structure on top of a dome. The precise definition of a dome has been a m ...
-like, tall structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome.
The word derives, via Italian, from lower Latin ''cupula'' (classical Latin ''cupella''), (Latin ''cupa''), indicating a vault resembling an upside-down cup.
Background
The cupola evolved during the Renaissance from the older oculus. Being weatherproof, the cupola was better suited to the wetter climates of northern Europe. The chhatri, seen in Indian architecture, fits the definition of a cupola when it is used atop a larger structure. Cupolas often serve as a belfry, belvedere, orroof lantern
A roof lantern is a daylighting architectural element. Architectural lanterns are part of a larger roof and provide natural light into the space or room below. In contemporary use it is an architectural skylight structure.
A lantern roof wil ...
above a main roof. In other cases they may crown a spire, tower, or turret. Barns often have cupolas for ventilation.
Cupolas can also appear as small buildings in their own right.
The square, dome-like segment of a North American railroad train caboose that contains the second-level or "angel" seats is also called a cupola.
Gallery
Synagogue
A synagogue, ', 'house of assembly', or ', "house of prayer"; Yiddish: ''shul'', Ladino: or ' (from synagogue); or ', "community". sometimes referred to as shul, and interchangeably used with the word temple, is a Jewish house of worshi ...
of Győr, Hungary.
File:Great Mosque Minaret - Kairouan, Tunisia.jpg, Ribbed cupola crowns the minaret of the Mosque of Uqba, in Kairouan, Tunisia.
File:Cupola - Armenian Orthodox church in Lvov.jpg, Inside of Armenian Orthodox church cupola in Lviv, Ukraine.
File:Old Barn at Brookwood Farm MA 02.jpg, Cupolas were also used on some old barns for ventilation.
File:ISS STS130 Cupola view of Algeria coast.jpg, View from the interior of the Cupola module on the International Space Station.
File:Brivio.church.cupola.jpg, Trompe-l'œil painting of a cupola in a church in Northern Italy (Brivio
Brivio ( Brianzöö: ; Bergamasque: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Lecco, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. It is served by Olgiate-Calco-Brivio railway station
Olgiate-Calco-Brivio is a railway station in Italy. Located ...
)
File:Cupola caboose.jpg, A cupola-style caboose with an "angel seat" above
See also
*Daylighting
Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, skylights, other openings, and Reflective surfaces (climate engineering), reflective surfaces so that sunlight (direct or indirect) can provide effective internal lighting. Particular attention is ...
* Windcatcher
* Cupola (ISS module)
Notes
References
{{History of architecture Architectural elements Cupola