Technicians and Master Builders for the Dome of St. Peter's in Vatican in the Eighteenth Century

The works of Nicola Zabaglia, master mason of St. Peter's Fabbrica, may be considered an influential model of cohesion among architecture, building yard and applied mechanics. Zabaglia's work represents a basic milestone for the development of Roman building technology, as proved by his being deeply involved in the works for hooping of the St. Peter's dome, directed by Luigi Vanvitelli between 1743 and 1744. Nevertheless, the role of Nicola Zabaglia has remained not well known even today. Thanks to the information also provided by unpublished documents, this contribution highlights the working procedures, phases, technologies and organisational models adopted by Zabaglia and Vanvitelli for the restoration works of the Cupola. These works represent one of the most extraordinary examples of the capability achieved by the technicians of St. Peter's Fabbrica in the middle of the 18th century.