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Engineering Shout-Outs

A nod to our inner geek...

Engineering Shout-Out #1

Because when two engineers go anywhere, we geek out just a little bit!  Our first shout-out of the trip is to the little drain holes in the floor of the Pantheon under the open dome.  Great problem-solving!!

Pantheon Floor.JPG
Pantheon Dome.JPG

Engineering Shout-Out #3

Our third shout-out goes to the first century BC Romans in Volterra for building this 600,000 gallon water cistern underground.  Their appreciation for the vitality of fresh water is unparalleled!

volterra cistern.JPG

Engineering Shout-Out #5

The fifth shout-put goes to whoever built this little house on this rocky hill/cliff.  Don't know when it was built or how many bricks were used.  However, we DO know that they serve awesome lemon slushees at the half-way point of a 1.5 hour hike between two towns in Cinque Terra!

CT Shoutout 2.jpg
CT Shoutout 1.jpg

Engineering Shout-Out #2

Our second shout-out is to Vespasian and Titus for the Colosseum basement.  Because designing and building the massive structure 2000 years ago wasn't enough - they added a highly functional basement to support the entertainment!

Colosseum basement.JPG

Engineering Shout-Out #4

The fourth shout-out goes to the workers who used 9 million bricks 2 centuries ago to build the fortress tunnel wall around Lucca.  The forethought on the layout, especially on the four corners for artillery is impressive!

Lucca Tunnel 2.JPG
Lucca Tunnel 3.JPG

Engineering Shout-Out #6

The sixth shout-out goes to Michelangelo for marking the marble after he picked out his slabs because we understand the value of quality construction materials and the need for a quality control process.

Mich marble.JPG

Engineering Shout-Out #7

The seventh and final shout-out goes to Brunelleschi in the 1400's for using this scaffolding, pulleys and safety harnesses to build the bid red dome on the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Flora, known as The Duomo.  Amazing.

Duomo 1.JPG
Duomo 2.JPG
Duomo 3.JPG
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