Urban Transport Vibrations and Cultural Heritage Sites in Rome: the Cases of the Temple of Minerva Medica and of the Catacomb of Priscilla

Traffic vibrations from modern transport systems pose a significant threat to the aesthetic integrity of cultural heritage sites, even when structural damage is absent. A study on Rome's Temple of Minerva Medica and Catacomb of Priscilla revealed that ambient vibration monitoring produced markedly different outcomes for these two monuments, despite their exposure to similar traffic sources. The research, part of the CO.B.RA project, employed non-destructive tests (NDTs) and noncontact investigations to assess damage and structural conditions. Findings highlight the need for tailored sustainability measures for tramways, railways, and road traffic near diverse archaeological assets, emphasizing the importance of objective data in preserving cultural heritage.

ROSELLI, I., FIORITI, V., BELLAGAMBA, I., MONGELLI, M., TATÌ, A., BARBERA, M., CIANETTI, M. M., & DE CANIO, G. (2017). URBAN TRANSPORT VIBRATIONS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES IN ROME: THE CASES OF THE TEMPLE OF MINERVA MEDICA AND OF THE CATACOMB OF PRISCILLA. The Sustainable City XII, 1, 335–343. https://doi.org/10.2495/sc170291