L'activitat quotidiana d'un mestre de cases medieval. Bernat Gual, 1405-1453

Abstract

[cat] En aquest article es repassa l'activitat del mestre de cases Bernat Gual, des que va signar un contracte d'aprenentatge amb el mestre d'aixa Domingo Ferrer, l'any 1405, fi ns que desapareix de la documentació municipal, l'any 1453. En aquests quaranta-vuit anys d'activitat, Gual es va fer càrrec de grans obres (com ara l'assut de Xerta-Tivenys), però també d'una gran quantitat de petits treballs, sempre al servei del Consell de la Ciutat. La seva tasca s'emmarca en el context arquitectònic de la Tortosa medieval, determinat per la catedral i el palau del bisbe, però també pel Pont de Barques, una important infraestructura de fusta que era conservada per artesans especialitzats.

[eng] This article is an overview of Bernat Gual's professional activity as a master builder. It spans the years between his apprenticeship with shipwright Domingo Ferrer (contract signed in 1405) and the last time his name appears in the Tortosa municipal documents (1453). During this 48-year period Gual was responsible for large undertakings including the Xerta-Tivenys lock; however, he took care of many small works too, all of which were commissioned by Tortosa City Council. Gual's work needs to be assessed within the architectural context of medieval Tortosa, which was greatly determined by three large projects: the cathedral, the bishop's palace and the Pont de Barques, a wooden bridge maintained by specialized craftsmen.