Master Mateo – Skilled Artist or Medieval Engineer?

The research presented here is part of the integrative project “Bauphasen und Bauverlauf der romanischen Kathedrale von Santiago de Compostela” led by the Chair of History of Buildings (BTU Cottbus) under direction of Prof. Dr. Ing. Klaus Rheidt in co-operation with the Department of History of Art (University Bern - CH). The analysis of the tachymetric-based survey and the stratigraphic investigation are discussed in an interdisciplinary team, an architectural historian and a civil engineer. The results lead to a new insight into the building process. Based on the structural analysis of the fabric, further knowledge of the different phases of the development are obtained. The investigation of the flow of stresses in the historic masonry in relation to the assumed material properties of the granite stonework offer new conclusions. As a result, the first stages of construction of the famous Portíco de la Gloria can be revealed and Master Mateo's role in its design and development is more closely examined.