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A mule ramp, or horse ramp, is a very gently sloping ramp that can be negotiated by pack animals. Originally, mule ramps were used in steep
A mule ramp, or horse ramp, is a very gently sloping ramp that can be negotiated by pack animals. Originally, mule ramps were used in steep terrain
Terrain or relief (also topographical relief) involves the vertical and horizontal dimensions of land surface. The term bathymetry is used to describe underwater relief, while hypsometry studies terrain relative to sea level. The Latin wo ...
in the open countryside. They usually have steps.
Use indoors
From road and track construction the principles of design found their way into buildingarchitecture
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing building ...
. An interior mule ramp consisted of a spiral, curved or straight ramp within a building that had a gentle incline and non-slip floor. Such ramps may be continuous but more often have transverse steps at large intervals. These are found in churches, castles and other buildings. Later, the very similar equestrian staircases were built as showpieces in palaces, for riders to climb to the upper floors on horseback.
The term mule ramp first appears in specialist literature in the 19th century. The name is probably derived from attempts to explain the name, Mule Tower (''Eselsturm''), for the northeast tower of Regensburg Cathedral
Regensburg Cathedral (german: Dom St. Peter or Regensburger Dom), also known as St. Peter's Cathedral, is an example of important Gothic architecture within the German state of Bavaria. It is a landmark for the city of Regensburg, Germany, and ...
(11th century). This tower had a continuous spiral ramp. The argument that it was specifically designed for pack mules does not bear scrutiny because its dimensions are much too small for such a purpose. On the other hand, neither the term mule ramp nor similar designations are known for ascents of this kind that have been used with certainty by pack and draught animals.
See also
*Cordonata
The cordonata (Italian word, from ''cordone'', which in architecture means "linear element which emphasizes a limit") is a sloping road interrupted at regular distances by low (8-10 cm) steps in the form of transversal stripes (''cordoni'') made ...
* Equestrian staircase
* Spiral staircase
Stairs are a structure designed to bridge a large vertical distance between lower and higher levels by dividing it into smaller vertical distances. This is achieved as a diagonal series of horizontal platforms called steps which enable passage ...
Literature
*References