A dome refers to the hemi-spherical structure placed on the top of a structure to form its ceiling. There are numerous domes all around the world famous for the beauty and the structural formation. The domes are made of different materials and showcase the architectural ability of many civilizations.

The top 10 domes in the world are listed below:

1. The Saint Basil’s Cathedral, Russia

The Cathedral is located in the Red Square of Moscow and it marks the geometric centre of the city. The Orthodox Church was built from 1530s to 1561 on the command of Ivan- the Terrible. The church is known for the onion domes it consists of. There are 9 such domes.

2. Taj Mahal, India

taj mahal, India

This mausoleum was built on orders of Shah Jahan who was a Mughal Emperor and was build in memory of his beloved wife. The monument features a huge marble dome surmounting the tomb.

3. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

hagia sophia, istanbul

Originally meant to be a cathedral, this structure became a mosque in the 15th century when the city was conquered by the Ottomans. The structure comprises of a huge dome with a diameter of about 31 meters.

4. The Dome of the Rock, Israel

the dome of the rock, Israel

The dome was completed in 691AD and is located the Temple Mount. The Dome of Rock is named so, because it protects a sacred rock underneath. This dome is a very popular and is in many opinions the most spectacular structure in the whole city. The inside of the dome is layered with mosaics, Arabic calligraphy and ceramics.

5. Pantheon, Rome

pantheon, rome

Built in 126AD this temple was built to consist all of the Roman gods. The Pantheon has served the city as a Roman Catholic Church since 7th century. The dome is made of concrete with an opening in the centre; and it holds the status of largest concrete dome to date.

6. Imam Mosque/ Shah Mosque, Iran

imam mosque, iran

This mosque is considered a masterpiece of the Persian Architecture. The dome is the tallest in the region of Isfahan with a height of 53 meters. The beauty of the dome lies in the colored mosaic tiles (seven in colors) with many calligraphic inscriptions.

7. Reichstag, Germany

reichstag, germany

Completed in 1894, the Reichstag, was highly damaged in a severe fire in 1933. During its reconstruction a glass dome was added to the structure. The dome provides an awe-inspiring 360-degree view of Berlin.

8. Santa Maria del Fiore, Italy (Florence)

Also known as the Florence Cathedral, this is the main church of the city. The dome is constructed with bricks and was until the modern era, the largest in the world.

9. The Capitol, United States

the capitol, united states

The Capitol is the meeting place for the US congress. It is located on top of the Capitol Hill in Washington DC. The current dome is an iron cast dome which replaced the original one when the Capitol expanded in 1850s.

10. Peter’s Basilica, Rome

The dome for the St. Peter’s Basilica was redesigned by Michelangelo in 1547, drawing inspiration from the domes of Pantheon and Florence Duomo. The current dome rises to 136.57 meters from the basilica floor.

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