This is a old (1500years) Roman thing.

It was about 1000 years before anyone figured out how to build stuff on this scale. The parthenon dome in Rome is bigger, but it is continuously supported. and leaks when it rains.

That it has stood for 1500 years in an earthquake zone is quite amazing, and the fact that there are loads of cats living in the vicinity only goes to show how smart they are.

These pictures free for non commercial private perusal. ©cip, 2000