Deciphering 800 years of brick history at the Basilica of St Anthony in Padua: production, finishing and bonds
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Date
2023Type
- Conference Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The Basilica of St Anthony in Padua is a massive brick church raised in the Venetian hinterland between the 1230s and the 1310s. After two main construction phases, the basilica underwent numerous modifications and repairs which sampled eight centuries of brick history. In the scope of an ongoing research, particular attention was paid to the use of bricks across the entire building. Based on on-site investigations, this contribution sheds a new light on brick production, finishing and bonds from the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Firstly, the local production of bricks and its regulation are discussed. Secondly, finishing techniques are documented throughout the basilica. Thirdly, the sizes and types of bonds are analysed using automatic segmentation of orthophotographs and statistical evaluation. This contribution demonstrates how an in-depth analysis of brickworks can add significantly to the construction and repair history of centuries-old buildings. Furthermore, as the construction of St Anthony influenced the local brick production and because Padua supplied bricks to surrounding cities like Venice, these findings provide a new key to "read walls" in Veneto. Show more
Publication status
publishedEditor
Book title
Studies in Construction History. Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Conference of the Construction HistoryPages / Article No.
Publisher
Construction History SocietyEvent
Organisational unit
09581 - Holzer, Stefan M. / Holzer, Stefan M.
Funding
185341 - The Basilica of Sant' Antonio at Padua - Deciphering the building history of a landmark pilgrimage church (SNF)
Notes
Conference lecture held on April 13, 2023More
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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