High porticoes: A phenomenon from Bolków, Kłodzko and Świdnica in a European context

Abstrakt

The aim of this article is to describe the phenomenon of high porticoes and related terraced walkways, motifs drawn from the broad issue of portico architecture. The author focuses on existing examples of high porticoes in Silesia and the Klodzko Land, or those evidenced by archival and archaeological documentation (Bolkow, Klodzko, Swidnica). Selected examples were analysed in terms of similarities in the solutions applied, but also differences in form and function. Archival research, analysis of preserved cartography and iconography, as well as documentation from architectural and archaeological surveys provide a general overview of this phenomenon.

Examples from Silesia and the Klodzko Land are furthermore presented in a European context. Similar examples can also be found in Poland (Bielsko-Biala, Przemysl), but also throughout Europe, i.e. in Italy (Brisighella), in Switzerland (e.g. Bern, Erlach, Avenches, Thun, Burgdorf) and in the United Kingdom (Chester).

The examples presented do not form an aesthetically and structurally homogeneous group. High porticoes seem to have been used particularly readily to bridge terrain differences in cities. However, their form, time of creation and legal aspect were always adapted to local conditions.