Roofs of Prague

[george013]

A few years ago I visited Czechia. I shot some pictures of roofs in Prague and some of them I can't place in a style. Maybe some of the viewers here can give me a hint.
What I would like to know is why this roof is split in 2 roofs, the top overlaying the lower, like a pagoda.




The house left to the church.



A castle outside of Prague.


I've been in one of them in the roof. The space between those roof levels where used for ventilation. I just can't think of why so much and what will happen with a storm? There must be a reason.

George

[Wavelength]

Nice set; first two needs slight rotation

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[madcrow]

Can't answer your question but very nice series.

[shreds]

Such 'clerestory' or 'Mansard' (in some cases) styles, if thats what they can be classified as, (although not true clerestory roofs), may have had a number of possible explanations.

1. Firstly they might be for ventilation purposes in a highly decorative style. Different architectural styles would require investigation to clarify the architectural convention or train of thought.
2. Secondly they could be to allow greater ventilation if oil or gas lights were being utilised in the upper storey
3. They could be utilised to gain extra light to the top floor before powered lighting was available
4. They might be just a flight of fancy of certain architects at the time they were built....a fashion.
4. They could be a form of dove cote or pigeon lofts, such birds were often bred as a delicacy to be eaten in times past and such a roof would attract and allow them to roost and possible have access to lay eggs or breed away from other predators.
6. They could be later additions in some cases to gain greater internal head hight, although the commonality of tile colours suggests that they were more likely constructed at similar times.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of architectural styles in places such as this is lacking, I have a far greater knowledge of vernacular architecture and styles here in the UK.

[george013]

Such 'clerestory' or 'Mansard' (in some cases) styles, if thats what they can be classified as, (although not true clerestory roofs), may have had a number of possible explanations.

1. Firstly they might be for ventilation purposes in a highly decorative style. Different architectural styles would require investigation to clarify the architectural convention or train of thought.
2. Secondly they could be to allow greater ventilation if oil or gas lights were being utilised in the upper storey
3. They could be utilised to gain extra light to the top floor before powered lighting was available
4. They might be just a flight of fancy of certain architects at the time they were built....a fashion.
4. They could be a form of dove cote or pigeon lofts, such birds were often bred as a delicacy to be eaten in times past and such a roof would attract and allow them to roost and possible have access to lay eggs or breed away from other predators.
6. They could be later additions in some cases to gain greater internal head hight, although the commonality of tile colours suggests that they were more likely constructed at similar times.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of architectural styles in places such as this is lacking, I have a far greater knowledge of vernacular architecture and styles here in the UK.

I know the mansard roofs. The only use of them as far I know from Holland, is the better use of the floor space. And I've never seen the top plane hanging that much over the lower plane. And the one I've seen, but no pictures, had a lot of ventilation openings in it. I'm aware a roof has to be ventilated but that much. And what about the wind forces when it storms. Well, they do exist for several years and will exist for more years so it worked.
Reading back, I don't mean the windows, but that horizontal line between the lower and higher plane.
In the first photo the lower plane is even flatter as the top plane. So even less use of the floor.

The only reason I can think of is decoration. I just can't place it in its context.
Later I'll show some more photo's of roofs with wonderful decorations.

George

[george013]

Some more pictures. Taken from the tower of the old city hall. The old center of Prague has been renovated last years. So all the buildings look like new. I think that's a drawback with to much renovation, it's killing the spirit.

On the left 2 mansard roofs as I know them.



That "bridge" construction on the roof. I don't know if it's only decorative or also functional in some way. You can see it in the picture above too.



And a roof can be used as a terras. A top location.


Looking from the top to a city gives a different view to that city as from the ground.

George