The Timber-Roofed Basilicas of Troodos, Cyprus (15th–19th Cen.). Constructional System, Anti-seismic Behaviour and Adaptability

Abstract

The timber-roofed basilicas of Troodos mountain area in Cyprus, which were built between the 15th and the 19th century, present a remarkable uniqueness, due to their cleverly designed constructional system. The main characteristic of this roof type is the existence of two distinctive, but co-operating, wooden parts, the Inner and the Outer Roof. The Inner Roof has a three-dimensional long triangular shape with great stiffness. The Outer Roof is literally suspended from the Inner Roof and it carries the heavy load of the solid brick flat roof tiles. A comprehensive constructional analysis showed that most of the characteristics of this roof type are similar to what is called “the eastern type roof”. Timber roofs in the seismic area of the Eastern Mediterranean are constructed mainly to cope successfully with the frequent earthquake phenomenon. This constructional system presents a remarkable degree of adaptability to various types of structures. The first type is the common single-aisled basilica and the wider three-aisled basilica. The second type refers to domed churches which received a timber roof as a protective cover. The third known type is that of the converted timber-roofed basilicas, which seems to have been developed in parallel with the evolution of the original basilicas. The basic conversion was the replacement, at some point of their life, of the vaulted stone roofing with a completely new timber roof. In every case, this constructional system presented an ability to adapt each time to the particular needs and restrictions.