New Contributions on the Escuelas Pías Dome in Valencia

Abstract

In the city of Valencia (Spain), domes covered by blue-glazed roofing tiles are common, but there is one that stands out above all others; the dome of the Escuelas Pías, one of the largest single-shell domes of Christianity. This dome is pending repair due to the appearance of large cracks. The present contribution aims to take us closer to the construction of the dome. By following a historical trajectory, we broaden its formal analysis providing a constructive approach that determines some factors on which some questions and controversies have been raised. Thus, we intend to solve these issues and others based on the results obtained from a high-precision graphic survey carried out by the authors. Based on the analysis of this graphic survey, new contributions regarding to its current morphology and the construction system used will be facilitated, revealing some unknowns that enable the understanding of its structural functioning and its constructive technology. © 2020, Kim Williams Books, Turin.