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A cupola was mounted by workers on the Andalusia High School campus at the entrance of the auditorium lobby Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Andalusia City Schools Superintendent Dr. Daniel Shakespeare ordered the cupola as a way to highlight the facility.

“The cupola means so much to our students, alumni, and community. It is the perfect crown for the auditorium where commencement exercises, homecoming assemblies, choral productions, band concerts, pageants, and recitals are held,” Shakespeare said.

In architecture, a cupola is a small, dome-like, tall structure on top of a building. The cupola evolved during the Renaissance from the older oculus. Being weatherproof, the cupola was better suited to the wetter climates of northern Europe. Cupolas often serve as a belfry, belvedere, or roof lantern above a main roof.

A design feature long associated with the high school, the cupola is the fourth to be installed on campus. The other three cupolas top Old Main, Andalusia Junior High School, and the physical education facility. The cupola from Old Main tops the shield on the high school coat of arms.