ANALYSIS OF A CONSTRUCTIVE SYSTEM USING HOLLOW CLAY ELEMENTS (CARUSELLI) IN CALABRIA

A investigation carried out on the territory of Calabria was able to analize the diffusion of a constructive system obtained with the use of singular hollow clay elements, so called caruselli. The caruselli can be found in the construction especially of light valtued with dimensions of a certain amplitude, both in residential buildings that in religious buildings. Among them, in Gerace, a renowned historian center situated on the Ionian Coast of Calabria, there are three important buildings characterized by the presence of this structural system. They are the Episcopio annexed to the Cathedral in the historic center of Gerace, the Capuchin Monastery adjacent to the Church of St. Mary of the Graces, located in the place below the historical center of Gerace, dating from the first half of the sixteenth century and the Norman church of Santa Maria of Mastro also located in the small village dating back to 1083-84. In the Church of Santa Marta del Mastro there was a dome set at the intersection of the two aisles, while the episcopate as in the Capuchin monastery in various rooms there are vaults and cross vaults, made with the use of caruselli arranged according to the typical procedures of the construction techniques characteristic of the place. The caruselli are clay cups with truncated cone form, closed at the ends and tied with lime mortar. Arranged with the smaller surface facing downwards, to form the intrados of the vault, are sometimes light and resistant.