stone vaults

stone vaults

Around 1000 florishinf abbeys and pelgrimroutes to Rome and Compostella gave Western architecture a boost. Especially the French region of Bourgondy became a lab for innovations in the evolution of what was to be called the romanesuqe style later on. One of the prominent characteristics is the use of stone vaults. These vaults were a step forward compared to wooden ceilings. They offered a better protection against rain, snow, wind and fire, often caused by a bolt of lightning.

construction

The barrel vault is derived from the circular arc. The stone vaults were constructed upon a wooden folding. When finished this folding could be removed since a circular arc and a barrel vaults are self supporting.
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