Transfer of Mathematical Knowledge for Building Medieval Cathedrals

Abstract

The construction of Gothic cathedrals is among the great achievements of medieval science, as defined in terms of theorica and practica. The success of these constructions is due to the knowledge of promoters and builders. This study introduces the original sources of the codex of the cathedral of Tortosa (Catalonia, Spain) with authors such as Calcidius, Capella, Macrobius, Al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf ibn Maṭar or Gerbert. The combined assessment of these sources, together with the masonry built and Guarc’s original plan (c.1345–c.1380) shed some light on the mathematical knowledge of the cathedrals’ builders.