Graphic and analytical description of the helical columns of the Lonjas of Palma de Mallorca and Valencia

Abstract

In several references we have found that the architect who built the Lonja of Valencia was inspired by the design of the Lonja of Mallorca. This is substantiated mainly by the fact that both buildings are in the same architectural style, that the two constructions have similar proportions and, in addition, they are the only lonjas in the Crown of Aragon that share similar features regarding the helical ornamentation that surrounds their columns. Making simple aesthetic relations, anyone could find similarities between both helical columns, but this condition of similarity hasn’t been objectively examined thus far. By means of rigorous geometrical procedures, which we also present graphically, we have found that the only resemblance between both columns is the concept of helix itself; we demonstrate that there is no geometrical parameter common to both that would lead us to think that the design of one was inspired by the other.

Keywords

• lonja de palma de mallorca
• lonja de valencia
• columnas helicoidales
• geometría