Stone and brick flat vaults from the 16th century in Spain

A rare group of stone and brick flat vaults from the 16th century, identified in Magalia Castle, the Monastery of El Escorial (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Casa de Campo’s Garden Pavilion, challenges conventional architectural norms. Unlike traditional curved vaults, these structures exhibit minimal curvature, blurring the line between flat and low vaults. The study analyzes their geometric and constructive parameters across military and monumental buildings to evaluate whether they represent an innovative resource or an overambitious construction technique. By examining historical links among builders and varying structural purposes, researchers provide new insights into the limits of flat vault design in Renaissance Spain.

Perelló, M., & Rabasa, E. (2021). Stone and brick flat vaults from the 16th century in Spain. History of Construction Cultures, 356–363. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003173434-158