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Saving Michelangelo's Dome: How Three Mathematicians and a Pope Sparked an Architectural Revolution
In 1742, when the legendary dome atop St. Peter’s Basilica—designed by Michelangelo—cracks and threatens to collapse, Pope Benedict XIV summons three mathematicians whose groundbreaking ideas spark a revolution in the world of architecture.
1742: the famous dome atop Saint Peter’s Basilica, designed by Michelangelo, is fractured and threatened with collapse. The dome is the pride of Italy and the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. And no one knows how to fix it.
This engaging and colorful narrative tells the overlooked story of how Michelangelo’s Dome was saved from disaster by three mathematicians and Pope Benedict XIV, who had asked them for help. It is a gripping story of decisive leadership, crisis management, and scientific innovation, and the resistance that was faced when sailing into the headwinds of conventional thought.
In Saving Michelangelo's Dome , Stanford-trained engineer Wayne Kalayjian illustrates how new ideas in science and mathematics established an entirely new way of looking at the world—as well as solving its complex problems. In the end, readers will appreciate that in saving Michelangelo’s Dome from collapse, these three mathematicians and one determined pope unknowingly invented the profession of engineering as we practice it today. With it, they transformed the architectural world and ushered in generations of future buildings and structures that, otherwise, would never have been built.
1742: the famous dome atop Saint Peter’s Basilica, designed by Michelangelo, is fractured and threatened with collapse. The dome is the pride of Italy and the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. And no one knows how to fix it.
This engaging and colorful narrative tells the overlooked story of how Michelangelo’s Dome was saved from disaster by three mathematicians and Pope Benedict XIV, who had asked them for help. It is a gripping story of decisive leadership, crisis management, and scientific innovation, and the resistance that was faced when sailing into the headwinds of conventional thought.
In Saving Michelangelo's Dome , Stanford-trained engineer Wayne Kalayjian illustrates how new ideas in science and mathematics established an entirely new way of looking at the world—as well as solving its complex problems. In the end, readers will appreciate that in saving Michelangelo’s Dome from collapse, these three mathematicians and one determined pope unknowingly invented the profession of engineering as we practice it today. With it, they transformed the architectural world and ushered in generations of future buildings and structures that, otherwise, would never have been built.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published March 5, 2024
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308 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 21, 2024
According to the author,
“Michelangelo’s dome (at St Peter’s Basilica) was a simple design made from three core ingredients: a pedestal, the double shell and a crowning lantern. The pedestal was formed, in turn, from two components – a drum and an attic – which were largely installed before Michelangelo’s death in 1564 but had sat dormant and open to the elements for another twenty- five lonely years above Rome’s ancient hills, waiting for the money and know-how to finish the job."
When Pope Sixtus V commissioned Giacomo della Porta to finish the dome in 1588, the science of physics, engineering and mathematics was not even imagined yet. Master builders used their intuition and experience to determine how to build the dome so it would be safe and secure as well as beautiful. The dome was finally finished in 1593 and was about as tall as the Great Pyramid of Giza at about 450 ft above the streets of Vatican Hill.
By 1740, the dome was riddled with cracks, some large and some small. The pope at the time, Pope Benedict XIV (Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini) as well as the college of cardinals were very concerned that the dome might collapse. Pope Benedict XIV was a very progressive pope and embraced what became known as the Enlightenment in Italy. His support for higher education was legendary and he advocated that Newtonian physics be taught at Italian Universities. Pope Benedict XIV enlisted three mathematicians who worked together to successfully reinforce the dome and save it. He established a new department of experimental physics at La Sapienza in Rome. Benedict XIV, “who did not view science as a threat to God’s creation, but rather as a marvelous illustration of it” also enlisted mathematicians and those who later became known as engineers (the science of engineering did not yet exist) to finish The Trevi Fountain, as well as preserve the Colosseum. Pope Benedict XIV also slowly changed the Roman Catholic Church’s prohibition against the ideas of Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei.
I remember visiting the Vatican a number of years ago and I found this an interesting read.
“Michelangelo’s dome (at St Peter’s Basilica) was a simple design made from three core ingredients: a pedestal, the double shell and a crowning lantern. The pedestal was formed, in turn, from two components – a drum and an attic – which were largely installed before Michelangelo’s death in 1564 but had sat dormant and open to the elements for another twenty- five lonely years above Rome’s ancient hills, waiting for the money and know-how to finish the job."
When Pope Sixtus V commissioned Giacomo della Porta to finish the dome in 1588, the science of physics, engineering and mathematics was not even imagined yet. Master builders used their intuition and experience to determine how to build the dome so it would be safe and secure as well as beautiful. The dome was finally finished in 1593 and was about as tall as the Great Pyramid of Giza at about 450 ft above the streets of Vatican Hill.
By 1740, the dome was riddled with cracks, some large and some small. The pope at the time, Pope Benedict XIV (Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini) as well as the college of cardinals were very concerned that the dome might collapse. Pope Benedict XIV was a very progressive pope and embraced what became known as the Enlightenment in Italy. His support for higher education was legendary and he advocated that Newtonian physics be taught at Italian Universities. Pope Benedict XIV enlisted three mathematicians who worked together to successfully reinforce the dome and save it. He established a new department of experimental physics at La Sapienza in Rome. Benedict XIV, “who did not view science as a threat to God’s creation, but rather as a marvelous illustration of it” also enlisted mathematicians and those who later became known as engineers (the science of engineering did not yet exist) to finish The Trevi Fountain, as well as preserve the Colosseum. Pope Benedict XIV also slowly changed the Roman Catholic Church’s prohibition against the ideas of Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei.
I remember visiting the Vatican a number of years ago and I found this an interesting read.
January 26, 2025
While preparing for a Christmas/New Year's family vacation to Italy, I was fortunate to discover “Saving Michelangelo’s Dome.” I began reading it during my flight to Rome and read the bulk of it during our 5-day stay there.
Eventually, I finished it in Florence after seeing the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore — fittingly, considering the influence it had on Michelangelo’s Vatican design.
I appreciate the author for writing this book, which helped enrich my trip and deepened my appreciation — in ways big and small — of what I was seeing with my eyes for the first time in my life. For example, from
appreciating how Benedict XIV’s intervention prevented a catastrophic collapse of the dome, to seeing his name imprinted in different places I was touring and knowing why he was worthy of that honor, I have this work to thank.
Later, upon our arrival in Florence, my wife learned of the opportunity to go up on the scaffold being used for ongoing repairs to the cathedral's Baptistery of San Giovanni. It’s a no-brainer, I told her, due to the time this book spent detailing Zabaglia’s scaffolds and putting them into their proper historical context.
Growing up I was always a decent math student, but my career track didn’t require me to tackle the more complex subjects covered in this book. That’s why I appreciate how the author made these topics understandable to readers like me. And also how he paid proper tribute to the men who were the first to see the world through the lens they did, and had the courage to challenge the conventional wisdom of the time.
Overall, I commend the author for artfully weaving together the many different strands of history — papal, architecture, math, science, engineering, etc. — into this one comprehensive narrative. I have already begun recommending "Saving Michelangelo's Dome" to friends who are planning Italy vacations later this year.
Eventually, I finished it in Florence after seeing the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore — fittingly, considering the influence it had on Michelangelo’s Vatican design.
I appreciate the author for writing this book, which helped enrich my trip and deepened my appreciation — in ways big and small — of what I was seeing with my eyes for the first time in my life. For example, from
appreciating how Benedict XIV’s intervention prevented a catastrophic collapse of the dome, to seeing his name imprinted in different places I was touring and knowing why he was worthy of that honor, I have this work to thank.
Later, upon our arrival in Florence, my wife learned of the opportunity to go up on the scaffold being used for ongoing repairs to the cathedral's Baptistery of San Giovanni. It’s a no-brainer, I told her, due to the time this book spent detailing Zabaglia’s scaffolds and putting them into their proper historical context.
Growing up I was always a decent math student, but my career track didn’t require me to tackle the more complex subjects covered in this book. That’s why I appreciate how the author made these topics understandable to readers like me. And also how he paid proper tribute to the men who were the first to see the world through the lens they did, and had the courage to challenge the conventional wisdom of the time.
Overall, I commend the author for artfully weaving together the many different strands of history — papal, architecture, math, science, engineering, etc. — into this one comprehensive narrative. I have already begun recommending "Saving Michelangelo's Dome" to friends who are planning Italy vacations later this year.
April 6, 2025
This nonfiction book tells the fascinating story of the repairs to the dome of Saint Peters Basilica in Rome, done in the midst of the eighteenth century when alarming cracks were seen in the dome. This book tells the history of the initial construction of the dome, and how the effort to repair the dome resulted in not only the repairs but in the birth of modern engineering. I very much enjoyed this book; as a new book (published in 2024), I did have to read it as an Ebook.
The Old St. Peter’s Basilica was built in the fourth century, over the site of St. Peter’s tomb. In 1505 Pope Julius II made a decision to demolish the ancient basilica and to rebuild it. Eventually Michelangelo took over the project, and designed the dome. Michelangelo died in 1564, leaving the drum of the dome complete. Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana brought the dome to completion in 1590, the last year of the reign of Pope Sixtus V. By 1742 cracks had developed in the dome; these had been noted before, but it took Pope Benedict XIV to do something about it. This book tells the story of how the Pope gathered together the normal building architects and construction experts, but also gathered together three mathematicians, who proposed in their report that the repairs should be done in concert with the new ideas coming out of practical mathematics. The book contains full biographies of all of the principal characters, and also has an epilogue on how military and civil engineering developed from the mid-eighteenth century.
I very much enjoyed reading this book; I doubt that I will ever see St. Peter’s in person (unless I become immortal, which I really do not see happening at this point), but due to the wonders of the Internet I can see it virtually.
The Old St. Peter’s Basilica was built in the fourth century, over the site of St. Peter’s tomb. In 1505 Pope Julius II made a decision to demolish the ancient basilica and to rebuild it. Eventually Michelangelo took over the project, and designed the dome. Michelangelo died in 1564, leaving the drum of the dome complete. Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana brought the dome to completion in 1590, the last year of the reign of Pope Sixtus V. By 1742 cracks had developed in the dome; these had been noted before, but it took Pope Benedict XIV to do something about it. This book tells the story of how the Pope gathered together the normal building architects and construction experts, but also gathered together three mathematicians, who proposed in their report that the repairs should be done in concert with the new ideas coming out of practical mathematics. The book contains full biographies of all of the principal characters, and also has an epilogue on how military and civil engineering developed from the mid-eighteenth century.
I very much enjoyed reading this book; I doubt that I will ever see St. Peter’s in person (unless I become immortal, which I really do not see happening at this point), but due to the wonders of the Internet I can see it virtually.
September 17, 2025
Having wrapped this book up, I'm left with mixed feelings that I'm having a hard time explaining.
The architectural revolution of which Kalayjian speaks is that, in the process, of saving the dome of St. Peter's from collapse, for the first time in history structural engineering as we know it was performed by a team of mathematicians tasked by Pope Benedict XIV with figuring out just what was wrong. It turns out that these men, Tommaso Le Seur, Francesco Jacquier, and Roger Boscovich, now remembered as estimable scientists in the Newtonian tradition, basically got it right, despite some push-back from other estimable scientists, and allowed for the master masons employed by the Vatican to get the repair work basically done right the first time.
The problem might be that Kalayjian is setting this story within the context of the Newtonian Revolution, and the reign of Benedict XIV, who was very interested in the humanist currents of the time, and the fit is a little uneven. This is fine so far as it goes, but I'm having a hard time judging whether the author did a good job of this. The issue might be me, seeing as I'm not sure that I have a strong enough knowledge base regarding 18th-century Italy to pass judgement. Though looking over Kalayjian's bibliography he seems to have covered all his bases.
Actual rating: 3.5.
The architectural revolution of which Kalayjian speaks is that, in the process, of saving the dome of St. Peter's from collapse, for the first time in history structural engineering as we know it was performed by a team of mathematicians tasked by Pope Benedict XIV with figuring out just what was wrong. It turns out that these men, Tommaso Le Seur, Francesco Jacquier, and Roger Boscovich, now remembered as estimable scientists in the Newtonian tradition, basically got it right, despite some push-back from other estimable scientists, and allowed for the master masons employed by the Vatican to get the repair work basically done right the first time.
The problem might be that Kalayjian is setting this story within the context of the Newtonian Revolution, and the reign of Benedict XIV, who was very interested in the humanist currents of the time, and the fit is a little uneven. This is fine so far as it goes, but I'm having a hard time judging whether the author did a good job of this. The issue might be me, seeing as I'm not sure that I have a strong enough knowledge base regarding 18th-century Italy to pass judgement. Though looking over Kalayjian's bibliography he seems to have covered all his bases.
Actual rating: 3.5.
April 17, 2024
Very interesting book about the history of the dome at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The dome was designed by Michelangelo and was completed in 1590, 26 years after Michelangelo's death. Cracks began to appear in the dome, and in the year 1742 it became very apparent that something needed to be done to repair the dome. There were some who did not think the cracks were critical or a reason for concern, but others felt the dome was in imminent danger of total collapse. Pope Benedict XIV decided something needed to be done. The book is basically the story of how it was determined what was causing the cracks and how to go about fixing the problem. At the time, the concept of mathematics, physics, and engineering was relatively new to the field of construction. Pope Benedict XIV was a smart guy who decided to bring in a team of mathematicians/scientists to work on the problem. The work that these men did actually turned out to be the beginning of architectural engineering as we know it today. Interesting story showing the intricate balance between mathematics, engineering, politics, and religion.
Want to read
November 9, 2024I read a review in the WSJ:
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/book...
Saving Michelangelo’s Dome’ Review: Looking Up in Rome
How three mathematicians–with help from the pope–effectively founded the field of modern engineering. BY Cammy Brothers (March 15, 2024)
from the library catalog, publisher's description:
"In 1742, when the legendary dome atop St. Peter's Basilica--designed by Michelangelo--cracks and threatens to collapse, Pope Benedict XIV summons three mathematicians whose groundbreaking ideas spark a revolution in the world of architecture" -- Publisher's description.
"In Saving Michelangelo's Dome, Stanford-trained engineer Wayne Kalayjian illustrates how new ideas in science and mathematics established an entirely new way of looking at the world--as well as solving its complex problems. In the end, readers will appreciate that in saving Michelangelo's Dome from collapse, these three mathematicians and one determined pope unknowingly invented the profession of engineering as we practice it today. With it, they transformed the architectural world and ushered in generations of future buildings and structures that, otherwise, would never have been built"
See also the book review from America Magazine:
https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-...
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/book...
Saving Michelangelo’s Dome’ Review: Looking Up in Rome
How three mathematicians–with help from the pope–effectively founded the field of modern engineering. BY Cammy Brothers (March 15, 2024)
from the library catalog, publisher's description:
"In 1742, when the legendary dome atop St. Peter's Basilica--designed by Michelangelo--cracks and threatens to collapse, Pope Benedict XIV summons three mathematicians whose groundbreaking ideas spark a revolution in the world of architecture" -- Publisher's description.
"In Saving Michelangelo's Dome, Stanford-trained engineer Wayne Kalayjian illustrates how new ideas in science and mathematics established an entirely new way of looking at the world--as well as solving its complex problems. In the end, readers will appreciate that in saving Michelangelo's Dome from collapse, these three mathematicians and one determined pope unknowingly invented the profession of engineering as we practice it today. With it, they transformed the architectural world and ushered in generations of future buildings and structures that, otherwise, would never have been built"
See also the book review from America Magazine:
https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-...
May 11, 2024
Really enjoyed the history of Renaissance and early modern Vatican politics and architecture. Didn't really care for some of the tenuous connections between (a) three men who examined the dome and suggested adding more iron cables for stabilization and (b) artificial intelligence and all the other "marvels" of the postmodern world. You might say his argument proved too much. Sparked an architectural revolution? Perhaps. Made today's technology possible? Probably not.
Besides increasing my appreciation for Michelangelo, this book also does well to laud the papacy of Benedict XIV (r. 1740–58). A great scholar, a humble and pious man, an able administrator--boy could the Holy See have used a few more like him over the last two millennia!
Besides increasing my appreciation for Michelangelo, this book also does well to laud the papacy of Benedict XIV (r. 1740–58). A great scholar, a humble and pious man, an able administrator--boy could the Holy See have used a few more like him over the last two millennia!
May 13, 2024
I found this fascinating but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't already interested in at least one of the many topics it discusses. This was a slowish read because although I have a BA in economics, have an MA in Art History (Italian Renaissance/Baroque), and am passable in Italian, I came across a number of words I was unfamiliar with. However, what slowed me down the most was when the author would mention something that I wanted to know more about and would go down a rabbit hole of Wikipedia searches. Therefore I suggest have a connection to the internet next to you as you read this!
October 30, 2025
There is an interesting story at the heart, and in a handful of the digressions, of this book. However, the quantity and lengths of the tangents to this central narrative are certain to tax the patience and interest of the reader. Kalayjian seems to find easy jumping off points to discuss everything from the history of architecture, to the history of the 16th and 18th century papacy, to the development of the scientific method and much more. While there are certainly readers who would enjoy his leisurely pace through these many topics, even they would reach their limit at the number of names, dates and locations that Kalayjian finds necessary to include in each sidenote.
April 28, 2024
Around 1550 Michelangelo developed plans for the dome on St. Peter's Basilica. By 1742 the dome had developed cracks, some small, others large enough to step through. Pope Benedict XIV was faced with finding a means to repair and maintain this outstanding piece of architecture. He used builders and mathematicians to examine the damage and develop a means of repair.
August 4, 2024
Quite good! An interesting history of the construction and repair of the dome - and a history of engineering to boot! Really fascinating!
In some places, it seems the author has cast his net rather wide and it isn't always easy to connect the dots but that author's obvious enthusiasm overcomes any defects.
In some places, it seems the author has cast his net rather wide and it isn't always easy to connect the dots but that author's obvious enthusiasm overcomes any defects.
July 11, 2024
an excellent history of early engineering, replacing guesswork and faulty "experience" with good engineering and facts. Earlier domes collapsed due to lack of knowledge.
Very well written, flows smoothly.
Very well written, flows smoothly.
January 11, 2025
An interesting and insightful book about the construction of St Peters’s Basilica and the start of engineering. It goes into the weeds a bit and those parts I skimmed but overall feel like I learned something with this read.
December 15, 2025
Thanks to Mr. Kalayjian, we now know the rest of the story behind the famous dome at St Peter's. He explains the architectural challenges of forces at work in a dome, so that laymen can understand. The book was well-written and an enjoyable read.
May 20, 2024
A great book about the men who saved the dome of St. Peter’s and the birth of engineering.
December 6, 2024
A fun find at the library for a non-mechanical person. Great history that links religion, science, geography and the arts.
January 10, 2025
Really enjoyed learning about a place I have been to many times.
February 2, 2025
This book is kind of a neat history of the beginnings of construction engineering. In many places, it is a very dry read.
June 30, 2025
Very interesting in parts especially if you have seen the basilica and dome in person. In other parts, too detailed for me at least. Skipped whole sections
October 27, 2025
There were many interesting parts to this story but it far too long and it is more accurately described as a history of engineering. Not what I anticipated.
October 4, 2024
Very interesting book. I thought it would be the story of the dome at St Peter’s Church in Vatican, instead it is selected histories of science and Roman Catholic Church!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews