How to build a (brick) barrel vault

Abstract

The present paper discusses several difficulties associated with the erection of barrel vaults. Although it may seem rather straightforward to build a barrel vault, the task gets increasingly difficult as thickness of the vault and height above ground increase. This is particularly true for barrel vaults constructed in brick, the standard material of most early modern vaults. With the difficulties and possible remedies in mind, the paper attempts a reassessment of the sources concerning the most important monumental early modern brick barrel vaults; namely, those of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome.