Dearq

Dearq | eISSN 2215-969X

Trapeze bridges in the Viejo Caldas region of Colombia: the legacy of the traditional European carpentry in the second half of the XIX century

No. 12 (2013-07-01)
  • Jorge Galindo Díaz
    1Profesor titular, Escuela de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Manizales jagalindod@unal.edu.co
  • Gilberto Flórez Restrepo
    2Profesor asociado, Escuela de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Manizales gflorezr@unal.edu.co
  • Laura María Henao
    3Estudiante de arquitectura, Escuela de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Manizales lmhenaom@unal.edu.co
https://doi.org/10.18389/dearq12.2013.10

Abstract

This article details how the trapeze bridges or mule bridges were constructed following the teachings of the traditional carpenter. Using primary sources, the case of the bridge of the river Guarinó (1896-1906), which leads to Herveo, is explained as well as its geometric and structural characteristics. Other examples are also detailed of bridges that make up the routes through the Viejo Caldas region in order to get a comparative understanding. The conclusions look to attribute value to these types of structures as part of the technical cultures that were developed in Colombia over the course of the country’s history.

Keywords: traditional carpenter, structural woodwork, wooden bridges, mule bridges, vernacular architecture