Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/9xn31cvg6y
Kaše Breakwater: Ancient Construction Techniques Reinvented in the Renaissance
Željko Peković
; Odsjek za povijest umjetnosti Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Splitu, Split, Hrvatska
Abstract
Kaše breakwater, doubtless, is a remarkable monument of Renaissance civil engineering, masterly designed and executed by Paskoje Miličević. This boldly conceived project witnessed many problems from the very beginning of its construction. Serious damages due to heavy storms happened to be so severe at times that, as evidenced by archival data, the breakwater faced collapse, which called for emergency repairs. It was built in four stages between 1486 and 1514, in dry docks. The fi rst, smaller part was built in 1486, while the other, somewhat bigger, in 1487, to be joined in 1498, and expanded to the north in 1514. The breakwater was built in a submerged and later dried out dock (kašeta). The latter was framed with sheet piles (a layer of joint wooden posts), while the bottom consisted of two layers of bars upon which the breakwater is bedded. The breakwater was built from large stone blocks, joined by hydraulic mortar composed of red clay and lime, with no pozzolanic additives. Stone blocks were fi rst connected with iron and later bronze joints and clamps covered with lead. The central part of the breakwater is ‘cemented’ with lime mortar, red clay and sand, with an addition of crushed stone. Some ancient construction techniques, reinvented in the Renaissance, were applied in this building project. The reason why the breakwater still stands in place lies in two major facts: the use of large and high quality stone blocks and their connection, and in the section below the waterline, with metal joints and clamps covered with lead.
Keywords
Dubrovnik; Kaše breakwater; Paskoje Miličević; dry dock
Hrčak ID:
181199
URI
Publication date:
11.5.2017.
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