Civil engineering heritage: country profile – Italy

Italy's civil engineering heritage, post-unification (1861/1870), showcases significant advancements in iron, steel, and reinforced concrete structures. Notable achievements include the 150 m arch railway bridge over the River Adda (Paderno, 1886) and urban arcades in Milan, Genoa, and Naples. The paper highlights early applications of reinforced concrete, such as the Risorgimento Bridge in Rome (1911), and iconic structures like Pier Luigi Nervi’s Olympic domes (Rome, 1960). It also covers post-World War II reconstructions, including the Autostrada del Sole viaducts (1956–1964) and Morandi’s Polcevera Viaduct (Genoa, 1966). The study emphasizes the importance of preserving these structures while distinguishing them from archaeological heritage. It concludes with a list of conservation organizations and resources for further exploration.

Giannetti, I. (2018). Civil engineering heritage: country profile – Italy. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering History and Heritage, 171(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1680/jenhh.18.00003