Antonella Versaci

Palazzo Raimondi in Cremona: 3d survey and diagnostic tests for the knowledge of construction techniques and historical materials

The paper deals with the 3D survey of Palazzo Raimondi in Cremona, featuring a renowned Renaissance façade, first step of a knowledge program aimed to define strengthening strategies consistent with the objective of building conservation. The laser-scanning campaign involved both external facades and the loggia on the court, extending to the flat coved vaults of the first floor, allowing detecting possible deviations from an ideal geometric reference. Non-destructive tests were also performed on materials and structures in order to widen the awareness on building behavior and attempt a first vulnerability analysis.

Keeping the Equilibrium: The Static Aspects of the Restoration Project. The Case Study of the Mother Church of San Cataldo (Sicily)

The Mother Church of San Cataldo (Sicily) has always been affected by structural problems, today still evident. Established in an area characterized by a geological heterogeneity it was over time subjected to restoration work that caused additional weakness. The study carried by the authors of this paper has allowed experimentally use 3D laser scanning to support the analysis of decays and structural damages of this monumental masonry construction, combined and integrated with the essential historical research and the visual observation. The precise identification of building diseases and especially of the causes that determine their occurrence is an inevitable prerequisite for the definition of restoration work targeted and mutually cooperating to the preservation of cultural heritage for the sake of future generations.

Cutting-edge technologies for the survey and documentation of cultural heritage: The case study of the architectural-archaeological area of Aruch in Armenia

One of the most important finalities of survey is the architectures comprehension. To the end of cultural heritage conservation, it is furthermore necessary to communicate the acquired knowledge. In the recent years, this need has resulted in a radical change in cataloging and digitization systems, as well as in telematics networking. Moreover, the use of 3D laser scanner has transformed not only the approaches related to metrics data acquisition and graphic rendering but has also afforded the opportunity to share important information on the web. This paper focuses on the usefulness of state-of-the-art technologies for documentation, presenting a case study related to the architectural-archeological area of Aruch in Armenia.

Studi e riflessioni per la salvaguardia e valorizzazione della cripta di Sant’Eusebio a Pavia

Located in Pavia, in an area that owes its importance to the Longobards era, the crypt of St. Eusebius is today the only surviving evidence of an ancient Germanic Cathedral, perhaps dating from the reign of King Rotari. Cited by Paolo Diacono in his Historia Langobardorum, it was over time affected by various alterations, devastations and assaults, alternated with long and dusty periods of neglect, which inevitably affected its dignity. This important monumental ruin, for too long confined within a structure that prevents its correct perception and public enjoyment, has recently been interested by new multidisciplinary studies and investigations aimed at improving its critical knowledge and understanding and then at establishing necessary conservation and valorisation activities, able to underline its high monumental value, improve its accessibility and ensure its transmission to future generations.

Diagnostic Activities for the Planned and Preventive Conservation of Mosaic Pavements: The Case Study of the Triclinium of the Villa Romana del Casale (Sicily)

The Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina, Sicily is known for the richness of the mosaic pavements that decorate almost every room. They are the finest mosaics from the Roman world and, even because of their exceptional extent, the Villa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Their in situ conservation advocated by Cesare Brandi in the late 1950s, an exception to the typical treatment of excavated mosaics of the time, requires a regular monitoring of the physical condition and the establishment of mitigation strategies, however, difficult to implement especially for economic and technical reasons. In this sense, this paper intends to propose an innovative and user-friendly procedure based on laser scanning and thermo-hygrometric investigations able to assess the tessellatum status through time and to evaluate the maintenance work’s efficiency, which could be included in a long-term and sustainable approach to preserving our ancient mosaic heritage.

Industrial cultural heritage for socio-economic development: a case study in Enna

espanolLa presion cada vez mayor de la globalizacion, el debilitamiento gradual de la base economica y la insuficiencia de los sistemas de infraestructura, han impactado negativamente en el desarrollo economico de el centro de Sicilia. La desaparicion de las ramas tradicionales de produccion, es decir, la agricultura o la mineria, ha causado la decadencia de estos territorios y la reduccion del numero de sus ciudadanos. En consecuencia, un numero importante de pueblos industriales, ejemplos extraordinarios de patrimonio cultural de la isla, un testamento a sus raices y las habilidades de construccion de sus antepasados, han sido abandonados. Sin embargo, si se protege, fomenta y se conecta con el territorio, cuando se estudia por razones cientificas y educativas, en estrecha colaboracion con la comunidad y en sinergia con las instituciones, este patrimonio reforzaria las identidades locales, impulsa la actividad economica, por lo que la produccion confiere un valor anadido y aumenta la creacion de oportunidades de empleo. En este trabajo se pretende explorar todos estos aspectos, que muestra un estudio del caso desarrollado en Enna. EnglishThe ever increasing pressure of globalization, the gradual weakening of the economic basis and the inadequacy of infrastructure systems have negatively impacted on economic development of central Sicilys areas. The disappearance of traditional production branches, i.e. agriculture or mining, has caused the decay of these territories and the reduction of its citizens number. Consequently, a significant number of industrial villages, extraordinary examples of the islands cultural heritage, a testament to its roots and to the construction skills of its ancestors, have been abandoned. Nevertheless, if properly protected, promoted and connected to the territory; when studied for scientific and educational reasons, in close collaboration with the community and in synergy with the institutions, such heritage would be able to reinforce local identities, boost economic activities, so producing additional value and creating employment opportunities. This paper aims at exploring all of these aspects, starting from a case study in the Sicilian town of Enna, so testifying the will of preserving the remains of a surviving glory in the mining history through the most appropriate means.