The Bell-Tower Facade: An Aseismic Device in Sicily Between the 12th and 18th Centuries
Domenica Sutera
Imposing tower facades with belfries in the last order were built Sicily Italy, from Middle Ages to late Baroque period. Until 16th century, this model, which was inspired by northern European examples, also had a parallelepiped forepart leaning against facade, working as containment for pressure imparted inner longitudinal arches on front, and amplified case of earthquakes. The lacking static efficiency these early structures is demonstrated collapses during strong earthquakes that hit island modern age. Despite numerous cases destruction, memory some prototypes survived Sicilian constructive through elaboration, Baroque, an updated morphology. hybridization Guarini’s pyramid scheme, its related articulations, could fact offer system advantages terms structural strength, thanks better balanced redistribution masses weights.
International Journal of Architectural Heritage