Emanuela Garofalo

Architetture all'ombra del vulcano: il comprensorio etneo in età moderna. Architecture in the Shadow of the Volcano: the Etna Region in the Early Modern Period

Among the many manifestations of the relationship between architecture and nature, a particularly significant case study is that of volcanic territories, both in terms of their implications for aesthetic research and visual considerations, and for the construction and material composition of the buildings realized out in these contexts. The fascination aroused by volcanic eruptions throughout the centuries certainly contributed to the persistence of myths and the development of a collective imaginary, resulting in the construction of local identities that are deep-rooted in the strong character of the territory itself, with significant effects in the architectural sphere as well. The aim of this article is to analyze architectural works built in the area of Etna during the early modern period by weaving together data drawn from archival and iconographical sources and the direct observation of select architectural case studies. The focus is on conditioning and opportunities coming from their setting in the shadow of the volcano.

New Architectural Models and Building Tradition: A Dialogue in Early Modern Sardinia – The Jesuit Church in Sassari

Architecture in early modern Sardinia is characterized by a strong continuity with previous practices. In the second half of the 16th century, new models join the Gothic building tradition, linked in particular to trends in military engineering and Classicism of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The Jesuit church in Sassari offers an interesting example of the intertwining of these architectural modes, which originated with a sudden change of leadership at the site. Giovan Maria Bernardoni, an Italian Jesuit architect, initially modeled the church after the Gesù in Rome, and it was partially built under his direction. After his departure from Sardinia, local master builders finished the construction, following the Gothic tradition and possibly some external influences. This article analyzes the church, particularly focusing on the challenges presented by its articulated vaulting system completed between 1587 and 1609.

Fortifying the Island at the time of the viceroy Ferrante Gonzaga (1536-1546): sites, master builders and designers, clients

Abstract The ten-year government of Ferrante Gonzaga marks a crucial time in the process of modernization of fortifications on the largest island of the Western Mediterranean. Even if the cornerstones of the strategy pursued and the projects undertaken to realize an adequate defense system have already been highlighted by previous studies, and it is well-known how much the viceroy himself and the royal engineer Antonio Ferramolino participated in resolving the longstanding problem, new interesting data emerge from research on the archival collections of Tribunale del Real Patrimonio, kept in the State Archive of Palermo. Using this mostly unpublished documentation, the paper focus on building sites started during this decade, looking at aspects related to construction as well as to organization and functioning, and on the intertwining of skills and responsibilities of the various actors involved in the various phases, from design to execution. The information included in the documents allows us to clarify the state of the art of fortification works undertaken in the main Sicilian cities during that decade, providing technical and financial data, but also information on the measures that were adopted to guarantee efficiency and promptness on the sites. Moreover, this knowledge forms a good basis for a new analysis of the roles played by the different people involved. Keywords : Ferrante Gonzaga, Antonio Ferramolino, Sicily, building sites. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/FORTMED2015.2015.1672