Geometrical analysis of Palesch family chapel in Kľačno, former Gaidel in Western Slovakia.

Zuzana Grúňová,Michaela Holešová,S Jemioło,M Krzemiński,M Gajewski,M Mitew-Czajewska,A Zbiciak

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201711700060

Abstract

Oval and elliptic spaces are one group of central plans, used mainly in sacral architecture and palaces. Paper deals with geometrical analysis of one of the smaller representatives of the neoclassical sacral architecture with oval plan - Palesch family chapel of Virgin Mary in village Kľacno in Western Slovakia. Oval and elliptic forms are not so often used in Slovak historical architecture and they are almost always connected with foreign influence and knowledge brought form Vienna, Paris, Pest, Eger and other education and praxis localities of the builder or architect. This uncommon oval form used in the small chapel is therefore certainly of interest from the point of view of architecture and geometry.

Highlights

Oval and elliptic spaces in architecture start to appear in the 15th - 16th cent. and evolution of forms continued with refinement of geometric constructions and broadening of mathematical knowledge
Circular and elliptic central spaces continued as a part of architectonical vocabulary in Slovakia in the following periods of neoclassicism and historicist styles, but only few examples of fully developed large spaces with curvilinear forms could be found here and it is a surprise, that oval was chosen for a small chapel
Further research in the archive of Spiš Diocese in Spišská Kapitula will be able to confirm hypotheses about construction and bring maybe even original drawings and name of author, who is unknown at the present

Summary

Introduction

Oval and elliptic spaces in architecture start to appear in the 15th - 16th cent. and evolution of forms continued with refinement of geometric constructions and broadening of mathematical knowledge. Village is rich in term of historical buildings comparing to the size of the settlement - Roman catholic church with preserved renaissance constructions (built 1464) and two chapels (baroque from 1777 and neoclassical from 1824). Patron of the analysed monument - Chapel of Virgin Mary - was Juraj Palesch - Georg Palesch[2], born 1753 in Gaidel (Kľačno) died 1833 in Zipser Kapitel (Spišská Kapitula) [3,4]. He was a roman catholic priest, teacher and pious writer, known as a deeply educated and enlightened personality who founded schools and foundations for education promotion[5].

Module consideration and measurement units

Hypothesis A - Ellipse was used in construction drawing and on site

Conclusions

Spišská Kapitula