Bóvedas de madera y bahareque en iglesias coloniales bogotanas. Estudio de cuatro iglesias del siglo xvii

The first churches that the Spaniards builded in Colombia had a cover in triangular structure —denominated “par y nudillo”—
made with wood. Over this structure a cane framework was placed and fixed with leather or vegetal fiber and on this a mud
layer cover with straw or mud roofing tile.
Later the vaults appeared like internal structural system of the central zone of the churches. The vaults initially were made in
heavy materials as stone or brick and as a result of this collapsed during the earthquakes, being replaced by vaults constructed
in wood or “bahareque”. The vaults done with these materials became popular in several countries of South America since by
their flexibility these vaults have resisted better the earthquakes.
In Colombia, during the colonial period were built several of these vaults in churches of the historical center of Bogota. This
article presents the results found in research by the group grime —Research Group in materials and structures-puj— on four
churches —built between 1610 and 1654—: La Candelaria, San Juan de Dios, Santa Clara and San Ignacio. This study sought
to identify the elements that shape, materials, connections and construction techniques.