OHRANITEV LESENEGA OSTREŠJA: PRIMER MOŠEJE HANDANIJA
PRESERVATION OF A TRADITIONAL TIMBER ROOF: THE CASE OF THE HANDANIJA MOSQUE

Summary/Abstract: In this article, the authors provide a brief overview of their personal involvement in the inspection of the roof timbers of the Handanija Mosque in Prusac. As well as the inspection, the authors were asked to propose a design for the roof structure. The Handanija Mosque, built in 1617, is an important example of the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the mosque was designated as a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2005. The form, design and proportions of this traditional vernacular building render it a unique example of the classical style. The mosque is rectangular in plan, with sides of 16.30 x 12.70 m, and belongs to the single-space type of mosque with an open porch and stone minaret. It was damaged by shelling during the 1992-1995 war, taking several direct hits to the walls, roof and minaret. The roof timbers were completely destroyed and the rest of the building was badly damaged. The authors suggested amending the structural bearing system by eliminating the hanging trusses and introducing the traditional components of posts, beams, struts and tie beams, as typical of this type of building. A 52.5° roof pitch was suggested, in keeping with Bosnia"s traditional vernacular architecture, which also reduces the intensity of horizontal forces. Authors suggest a 52.5° roof pitch for the following reasons: it is in keeping with the indigenous architecture of Central Bosnia, it reduces the intensity of horizontal forces, and it takes account of the fact that a hand-cut roof cladding does not always ensure identical geometry and pitch.

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