DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62783#0071
VITRUVIUS AND GUEVARA.
indifferent reputation who authorize such practices. Vitruvius con-
trives the roof (of the apartment) that is to be covered with what is
now called by the new term stucco, in the following manner : he says,
that after having fixed the timbers of the room, they are to be mor-
ticed with cross pieces, made of timber which has the property
of not warping, as that of box, oak, cypress, juniper, and the olive.
The holm oak (encida) is to be avoided because it is apt to warp, and
occasion cracks which injure the stucco. In our Spain the pine of
Cuencaa and Balsain,b when old and dry is good, because this wood
is solid and durable.
These cross pieces are to be nailed with strong nails, which will
hold them firmly and prevent warping. But it must be observed,
as we learn from Vitruvius, that these are not so durable and safe
on flat roofs, as on those that are somewhat vaulted and curved, that
in such walls this kind of work, which is called stucco, has great
solidity; and if the vault or ceiling of the apartment be made of
bricks or other similar materials, many inconveniences would be
avoided, and many things would be unnecessary that wooden roofs
require, without covering the roof immediately with the first coating
of mortar, as is usual in walls of stones and bricks.
Vitruvius next directs, that in roofs constructed of timber, the
cross-pieces being first fixed and firmly nailed, reeds are to be
bruised and split, and fastened to the roof (as the curve requires) with
rushes0 or slips of Spanish broom tied firmly, as is now done when
roofs are to be covered with gesso, and as wTas anciently the custom
in Spain, and is still in Andalusia and the kingdom of Grenada, on
account of the deficiency of wood in some places for this purpose.
The rushes or broom should be fastened to the reeds with great
care and skill, for in this operation consists a great part of the perfec-
tion of the work, and they should be fastened with nailsd between the
rushes. This being done, Vitruvius says, “ trusilar the roof.” This
word '‘trusilar,” which neither the Italian nor the Latin interpreters of
a A city of New Castile situated between the rivers Xucar and Huescar—Ed.
b A forest near the city of Segovia, where the Kings of Spain formerly diverted
themselves with hunting.—Ed.
c In Italian, called cannegreche (large rushes), as contradistinguished from the
smaller reeds found in marshes. They are also called stuoje. See Italian trans-
lation of Vitruvius by B. Orsini, page 69.—Ed.
d Vitruvius says, the nails should be of wood.—Ed.
indifferent reputation who authorize such practices. Vitruvius con-
trives the roof (of the apartment) that is to be covered with what is
now called by the new term stucco, in the following manner : he says,
that after having fixed the timbers of the room, they are to be mor-
ticed with cross pieces, made of timber which has the property
of not warping, as that of box, oak, cypress, juniper, and the olive.
The holm oak (encida) is to be avoided because it is apt to warp, and
occasion cracks which injure the stucco. In our Spain the pine of
Cuencaa and Balsain,b when old and dry is good, because this wood
is solid and durable.
These cross pieces are to be nailed with strong nails, which will
hold them firmly and prevent warping. But it must be observed,
as we learn from Vitruvius, that these are not so durable and safe
on flat roofs, as on those that are somewhat vaulted and curved, that
in such walls this kind of work, which is called stucco, has great
solidity; and if the vault or ceiling of the apartment be made of
bricks or other similar materials, many inconveniences would be
avoided, and many things would be unnecessary that wooden roofs
require, without covering the roof immediately with the first coating
of mortar, as is usual in walls of stones and bricks.
Vitruvius next directs, that in roofs constructed of timber, the
cross-pieces being first fixed and firmly nailed, reeds are to be
bruised and split, and fastened to the roof (as the curve requires) with
rushes0 or slips of Spanish broom tied firmly, as is now done when
roofs are to be covered with gesso, and as wTas anciently the custom
in Spain, and is still in Andalusia and the kingdom of Grenada, on
account of the deficiency of wood in some places for this purpose.
The rushes or broom should be fastened to the reeds with great
care and skill, for in this operation consists a great part of the perfec-
tion of the work, and they should be fastened with nailsd between the
rushes. This being done, Vitruvius says, “ trusilar the roof.” This
word '‘trusilar,” which neither the Italian nor the Latin interpreters of
a A city of New Castile situated between the rivers Xucar and Huescar—Ed.
b A forest near the city of Segovia, where the Kings of Spain formerly diverted
themselves with hunting.—Ed.
c In Italian, called cannegreche (large rushes), as contradistinguished from the
smaller reeds found in marshes. They are also called stuoje. See Italian trans-
lation of Vitruvius by B. Orsini, page 69.—Ed.
d Vitruvius says, the nails should be of wood.—Ed.