What Is a Cupola?
A cupola is an architectural structure at the top of a building that is usually shaped like a half-sphere on one end. It could be described as a dome or it can be a more pointed shape that is used to house a bell or serve as an observation area. Some cupolas are even onion shaped. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Cupolas were first used in Islamic architecture during the 8th century.
Fun Fact
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Along with the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., many other prominent government buildings have cupolas. State capitals. such as Montgomery, Alabama, have state capitol buildings that feature them.
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Types
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Some cupolas house a belfry. Some have windows and some have openings that leave the inside open to the air. A cupola with windows that stretch around the structure are sometimes called lanterns.
Identification
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Sometimes, the cupola is low and can't be easily distinguished from the rest of the roof line. Those cupolas are called monitors.
Types
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Most cupolas are round, but some have sides. There are hexagonal cupolas that have flat sides and a rounded top.
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- Photo Credit Capgros
