The Mediaeval Cross-Braced Collar Beam Roof Structure Over the Vaulted Chancel of the Cathedral in Kamień Pomorski, Poland

Although there are numerous studies relating to the history of the construction of the cathedral in Kamień Pomorski or to the development of historical roof structures in general, none of them has yet included the roof structures of the cathedral in Kamień Pomorski. This situation has justified the pursuit of architectural and dendrochronological studies in order to learn its history, construction, and carpentry technique. The research on the existing material substance of the roof structure over the vaulted chancel of the cathedral was carried out under the following aspects: load-bearing structure, sides of timber framing, carpentry joints, system of carpentry assembly marks, building material and its processing. The results of these analyses were supplemented and compared with the results of the literature study and dendrochronological research. As a result of these studies, it was possible to establish that the chancel of the Kamień Pomorski cathedral is crowned with a cross-braced collar beam roof structure, which dates back to the first half of the 13th century. It was strengthened, in the modern period and in the 1930s. Despite its age and repairs, the original structure has survived to a great extent. The type of roof structure used above the chancel in Kamień Pomorski - a cross-braced collar beam roof structure without a tie beam - served in the Middle Ages for a specific construction task - the construction of a roof over a vault within its boundaries. A preliminary literature review has shown that examples of such solutions have survived in various parts of Europe to the present day, but only in a small number. In the territory of Poland, it is the only known example of this kind from the Middle Ages that has survived to date.