Often, when looking at historical buildings and monumental complexes, especially from the Middle Ages, one can see that their outer walls are studded with rectangular holes. They are not an oversight of the builders of the time, but correspond to the points where the wooden poles that would support the scaffolding were inserted. The scaffolds had to support the load of the wooden planks and building material and the beams were embedded or even walled into the building.
The thickness and cross-section of the hole made in the wall depended on the degree of projection desired for the scaffolding and the load it would have to bear. The beams became part of the masonry and were only removed when the work was completed, obviously going from top to bottom. The space could be filled at a later date, but was generally left empty as a precautionary measure in order to relocate the scaffolding in case of subsequent maintenance.
The beams became part of the masonry and were only removed when the work was completed, obviously going from top to bottom. The space could be filled in later, but was generally left empty as a precautionary measure in order to relocate the scaffolding in case of subsequent maintenance.
On the other hand, the pontoon holes used to support the beams of hanging structures and external balconies were permanent, often with a stone shelf at the base.
Look around from the centre of the cloister…

– cover shot by Roberto Romagnoli –