The hydraulic system is an architectural subsystem that can only be understood in view of the dual constitution of its structure: one at ground level, that referrers to potable water (lower hydraulic subsystem), and other concerning rainwater (upper hydraulic subsystem). They both involve aspects of major importance for the functioning of any building: catchment, distribution and evacuation of the waters. 

In the last decade, research was carried out on the hydraulic component of historical architecture, either religious or civil, considering technical and artistic issues, not only in Portugal, but throughout Europe. Recognizing the importance of these new researches, and with the main purpose of promoting the study, and other activities related to hydraulics in historical architecture, the "Gabinete de História, Arte e Cultura da Água" (Office of History, Art and Culture of Water) was established, integrated in CLEPUL - Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon (http://www.clepul.eu/). Thereby, the Monastery of Batalha was recently object of an innovative investigation, that comprised the photographic survey and the data register concernig each of the gargoyles (dimensions, iconography, etc.).

The "Gabinete de História, Arte e Cultura da Água" (Office of History, Art and Culture of Water) of CLEPUL - University of Lisbon; ARTIS (Institute of Art History of University of Lisbon) and the Monastery of Batalha welcome proposals for papers for an international congress concerning hydraulics, or related topics, such as gargoyles, in the disciplinary fields of History, History of Art, History of Architecture, Heritage Studies, History and Theory of Restoration or Conservation, and Iconography.

Please send a proposal (max. 400 words) and a short bio to [email protected] by 15 december.