Edge or sqaure voult? What difference?

Edge or square vault

To understand what a corner or square vault is, you need to start from the stone. Lecce stone is a material that was well suited to construction techniques for the construction of ceilings with more complex vaults (corner vault or square vault). The term star vault is often used incorrectly. To be precise, we should talk about two types of vaults: corner vault (commonly but incorrectly called star vault) and square vault. These types of vaults, compared to the barrel vault, are of more recent “invention” (in fact there are no examples dating back to the 17th century). Furthermore, unlike those with barrel vaults, they do not rest on load-bearing walls but on pillars. This type of coverage is typical of Salento. It arises from the need to combine the materials available locally (Lecce stone) with the construction of solid but also large, functional and aesthetically pleasing buildings. In the past, the typical houses of Salento were mainly made up of a single room located on the ground floor, of relatively large dimensions. Hence the need for a vault capable of covering spaces of a certain size, with adequate thermal insulation and a pleasant aesthetic profile. Please remember that we are in a geographical area that is particularly hot in summer. Thanks to the star or corner vaults, these homes are not only aesthetically more beautiful but are also decidedly warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The credit undoubtedly goes to the Lecce stone but also to the particular shape of the vault which spreads the heat more uniformly without dispersing it. Due to all these characteristics, these types of vaults (edged or square) are also very widespread in important churches and buildings of the Lecce Baroque.

Corner vault

Between the two types, the most common (and ancient) is the corner vault, recognizable by the four-pointed star that forms in the center. For this reason, as mentioned, corner vaults are also improperly defined as “star vaults”. This type of vault is certainly the evolution of the cross vault and, as already mentioned, rests on four quadrangular pillars, possibly placed against or incorporated into the walls of the room to be covered. Particular plumes are grafted onto them (in Salento dialect ‘mpise, grips) on which arches (formate) are installed which will define the height and shape of the vault. Two caps similar to a barrel vault but slightly raised will be grafted onto the shapes (called nails). The vault, in the end, will have a shape very similar to that of a stylized star.

Square vault

The square vault, however, is the latest addition to the Lecce vaults and, in fact, it is difficult to find examples that are over 140 years old. It differs from the corner one in that the pillars on which it rests are not quadrangular but L-shaped. In this case an eight-pointed star will be highlighted in the cap (two points per arm). For this reason it is also called “double star vault”. In addition to beauty and elegance, this type of vault has the advantage of exerting only a modest push on the corners and on the outside because many internal tensions cancel each other out. In fact, it can be made to cover even large spaces. Proof of this are the many successful examples of square vaults built on stone walls over 25 meters high.
Regardless of the type of vault, tradition dictates that each vault of the building bore the signature of its builder placed in the central key of the cap. This “signature” in most cases was represented by a cross (given the existing illiteracy) which due to its shape, size and positioning could be traced back to the creator of the artefact. Furthermore, it is also said that, during the works, the owner of the property used to deliver, as a sign of good luck and good wishes, the image of a Saint to the builder. The latter buried it in the foundations of the house or placed it on the top of the vault.
Now, to be honest, during the excavations of the restoration of Corte Manfredi no holy cards or sacred images were found but our structure also undoubtedly contributes to this Salento architectural identity with its vaults. The square vaults are particularly interesting for the more recent housing units, located on the first floor (suite, 7B). Thanks to this type of vault, these environments, whether small or large, really seem to receive a push upwards, giving the environment the typical appearance of a Gothic cathedral. Anyone who observes it, raising their head, cannot help but remain breathless. We invite you to try…