Publications
From Quarries to Urban Construction Sites: Middle‐Late Mesozoic Limestones in the Public Architecture of Roman Verona, Italy
Roman Verona's public architecture, from the late first century BC onwards, favored Middle-Late Mesozoic (MLM) limestones—Rosso Ammonitico Veronese, Maiolica, and Scaglia Rossa—for their durability and marble-like appearance. These materials, sourced from nearby Valpolicella and Valpantena quarries, replaced earlier, less resistant local stones like Eocene calcarenites and imported Oligocene limestones. The shift reflects deliberate economic choices, prioritizing strength over cost during the Imperial period. Petrographic analysis of 30+ samples using Transmitted Polarized Light Optical Microscopy (TPL-OM) and colorimetry confirmed this preference, revealing a strategic investment in high-performance materials for monumental construction.
Getting Older People’s Voices Heard: A Quantitative Study Using the Validated Italian Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire in Venice, Verona and Palermo
Older adults' socioeconomic status and health significantly influence their perceptions of age-friendliness in cities, highlighting the need for tailored policies. A study validated the Italian version of the World Health Organization's Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire, revealing distinct perspectives among older residents in Venice, Verona, and Palermo. The research used a representative sample (n=1,213) to assess urban living experiences across key dimensions, demonstrating that standardized tools can effectively guide age-friendly social policies.
Spatio-temporal monitoring of the microsurface modification in artworks under environmental forcing
A novel approach to monitoring microsurface modifications in artworks under environmental forcing reveals that climate-induced variations dynamically interact with surface topography at multiple scales, leading to cumulative effects. This study introduces a spectral-based technique using power spectral density functions to analyze surface height datasets, providing deeper insights into the contribution of different spatial wavelengths to texture signals. Two case studies demonstrate its application: one examining long-term artificial microclimate changes on bronze mock-ups and another assessing the impact of sudden environmental shifts on an 11th-century parchment from Verona's Capitolare Library. The findings underscore the potential of advanced surface metrology in heritage science, offering a more nuanced understanding of how environmental factors affect artworks at the micrometer scale.
Appunti sull’emigrazione bergamasca nelle città della terraferma veneta nel Quattrocento (con particolare riferimento a Verona)
Bergamo immigrants in 15th-century Venetian mainland cities, particularly Verona, demonstrated remarkable skill integration and long-term success across generations. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on demographic patterns, this research highlights the adaptability and expertise of Bergamasque migrants, enabling them to establish lasting presence in these 'quasi-urban' centers. The study employs a nuanced approach, analyzing migration dynamics while emphasizing the role of professional know-how in facilitating social integration and economic stability over multiple generations.
First Rule: Keep Pedalling. Co-Theorising with Food-Delivery Workers How to Make Digital Platforms Capability-Enhancing
Digital labor platforms can significantly impact workers' well-being, but their design often fails to enhance capabilities. This study identifies 'meaningful work' as a meta-capability that could guide platform development to better support riders' flourishing lives. Researchers combined covert auto-ethnography—where the author worked as a food-delivery rider in Verona—and dynamic public reflective equilibrium interviews with workers to co-theorize capability-enhancing design principles. The approach synthesizes philosophical and empirical insights, addressing the 'list debate' in capability theory while offering practical frameworks for platform redesign. Findings suggest that platforms designed around meaningful work could mitigate negative impacts on riders, balancing efficiency with human flourishing.
Laws on the Use of the Public Space for Heritage Purposes
This study reveals that public spaces, while often considered under the 1972 UNESCO Convention for their 'outstanding universal value,' derive cultural significance not from inherent attributes but from intangible beliefs and practices associated with them. Unlike tangible heritage sites, which rely on physical features, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) thrives on dynamic social uses and legal frameworks that shape its meaning. The research applies ICH concepts to World Heritage contexts, using Verona as a case study—a city inscribed under the 1972 Convention while also serving as a spatial component for Tocatì, an intangible heritage program safeguarding traditional games. Through anthropological analysis, the study examines how laws governing public space interact with social practices, offering insights into the intersection of legal instruments and cultural preservation.
The Hostile City of Love and Antibodies of Hate
Verona, a mid-sized Italian city renowned for its far-right stronghold and touristic heritage, exemplifies the complex interplay between identity, space, and social movements. A comparative analysis reveals that while the city is promoted within transnational identitarian networks, grassroots actors persist in democratic struggles that highlight inclusive and pluralist possibilities even in hostile settings. This study traces how collective identities and actions are shaped by spatial relationships, offering insights applicable to similar urban contexts worldwide.
The medieval bronze doors of San Zeno, Verona: combining material analyses and art history
Scientific analysis confirms that the medieval bronze doors of San Zeno, Verona, were crafted by at least two distinct workshops during the 12th century. Using non-invasive techniques—portable ED-XRF spectroscopy and optical microscopy—the study identified distinct alloy compositions in the metal plates, aligning with art historical interpretations. The doors, primarily composed of leaded tin-bronze and leaded brass, are mounted on a wooden structure made mainly of spruce and oak. High-resolution orthophotos and 3D models further documented their construction. This research bridges material science and art history, providing empirical support for stylistic analyses while advancing our understanding of medieval metallurgy.
Virtual reconstruction of destroyed fortifications: the case study of Santa Caterina in Verona
A virtual reconstruction of the destroyed Fort of Santa Caterina in Verona reveals its historical significance as a strategic and architecturally notable military structure. Originally built between 1848 and 1856, the fortification, known as Werk Hess, played a pivotal role in the city's defense due to its dominant position and naturalistic integration into the landscape. Despite its current state of disrepair—with only remnants remaining—the study leverages surveying techniques, source analysis, and spatial representation to resurrect its former grandeur. This approach not only sheds light on its architectural and strategic importance but also lays the groundwork for further multi-disciplinary analyses of the fort and its surroundings.
Identitarian Movements in the Touristic City: The Marketing of Hate in Verona
Verona, renowned for its tourist appeal as the city of Romeo and Juliet, also serves as a strategic node for far-right and populist right movements. This study reveals how these groups exploit the city's historical center to construct an exclusionary territorial identity rooted in white supremacy, northern pride, and Catholic fundamentalism. Through practices of bordering and territorialization, they market Verona as a 'model' city for a transnational identitarian network, leveraging its preserved heritage and assumed authenticity to promote anti-modernist nostalgia. The research, based on ethnographic fieldwork, archival analysis, and in-depth interviews, uncovers the mechanisms by which certain historical centers are showcased to build such networks through everyday boundary-drawing practices.
Digitalizzare, ricostruire e fruire il Castello di Montorio: un tassello nella definizione della rotta culturale dei castelli scaligeri
A digital cultural route linking Scaliger castles in Verona, Italy, has been developed using advanced 3D modeling techniques. The research, led by the DAda-LAB at the University of Pavia, focused on Montorio Castle to test a rapid data acquisition strategy for creating a reliable photogrammetric database. This database was then used to generate realistic 3D models representing the castle's historical phases, combining videogrammetry with archival documents and archaeological reports. The study successfully established a philological process for reconstructing hypothetical developments of the castle, providing a replicable method for other Scaliger castles. This approach aims to enhance educational and informative digital experiences for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
New Technologies for the Preservation, Conservation and Enhancement of Verona’s UNESCO Heritage: The Walls
Advanced digital documentation techniques have significantly enhanced the preservation, conservation, and enhancement of Verona’s fortified UNESCO World Heritage site. This study, part of the 'Verona Fortificata' project (2015–), demonstrates how cutting-edge technologies can provide precise metric data for architectural surveys, offering essential insights for assessing the site's Buffer Zone and visual impact. Collaborating with the Universities of Florence and Pavia and the Municipality of Verona, researchers have developed a robust framework for heritage documentation, bridging classical survey methods with modern dissemination techniques. The findings underscore the potential of these technologies to support informed decision-making for UNESCO sites, ensuring both scientific rigor and practical applicability.
Petrographic characterization and durability of carbonate stones used in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in northeastern Italy
Research reveals that the petrographic and textural properties of carbonate stones significantly influence their durability, with porosity emerging as a critical factor in predicting decay rates under environmental stressors. Eleven limestone varieties, including Vicenza Stone (Nanto and Costozza), Verona Stone (Red and Brown), Asiago Stone (Pink and White), Chiampo Stone (Ondagata and Paglierino), Istria Stone (Orsera), Aurisina Stone, Botticino Stone, and Carrara marble (as a reference), were analyzed. Accelerated aging tests simulating freeze-thaw cycles and salt crystallization demonstrated that these properties strongly affect deterioration rates in northeastern Italy's built environment. Understanding these characteristics is essential for predicting stone decay in response to local environmental conditions.
Public Policies for Cultural Heritage Valorization in the 20th Century. Case Study of Cities’ Soft Power Consolidation Processes in Verona and Bistrita
Public policies for cultural heritage valorization can effectively consolidate cities' soft power, even within bureaucratically complex structures. This study reveals that interdisciplinary approaches—combining public administration and historical expertise—can uncover causal links between cultural institutions and urban development. Focusing on Verona and Bistrita, the research demonstrates how strategic cultural initiatives enhance a city's global appeal and economic resilience. The findings highlight the importance of adaptive governance in overcoming bureaucratic inertia to achieve sustainable heritage valorization. This case study provides actionable insights for policymakers aiming to leverage cultural assets for urban growth.
The Walled City of Verona. Integrated Survey Systems for the Enhancement and Promotion of Verona's City Walls
Integrated survey systems, including TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanning), MLS (Mobile Laser Scanning), and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), have been validated for their potential to enhance the documentation, conservation, and promotion of Verona's city walls. The study, conducted as part of the 'Verona Città Murata' project, demonstrates that these technologies can provide high-accuracy planimetric and elevation data, which are crucial for timely restoration and management studies. The research also emphasizes the importance of multi-disciplinary approaches and flexible tools in managing complex cultural heritage sites like Verona's fortified system and Veronese Park. This methodology not only aids in diagnostic and conservative analysis but also serves as a valuable tool for narrating and disseminating the military technology fabric of Verona, contributing to its valorization.
Evaluation of the impact of input uncertainty on urban building energy simulations using uncertainty and sensitivity analysis
A novel approach combining physics-based Urban Building Energy Models (UBEMs) with Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis significantly improves the accuracy of urban energy simulations. By incorporating uncertainty in key input parameters—such as operational, geometrical, and physical attributes—the method reduces overestimation of residential building peak loads from 80% to 25% and decreases deviation in energy needs calculations from 18% to 10%. Tested on a heterogeneous sample of buildings in Verona (Italy) and later applied to a district in Milan with over 600 buildings, the approach demonstrates that accounting for input uncertainty is critical for reliable urban energy modeling. This advancement addresses longstanding challenges posed by unreliable data, offering a more robust framework for simulating energy demand under varying urban scenarios.
Making and Collecting Instruments in Fair Verona: The Case of the Italian Amateur Scientist Gaetano Spandri (1796–1859)
Gaetano Spandri (1796–1859), an Italian amateur scientist based in Verona, stands out for his significant contributions to physics, astronomy, meteorology, and natural sciences during the 19th century. His work, preserved through handwritten papers, correspondence, and scientific reports at the Verona Academy of Agriculture, reveals a rich collection of scientific instruments housed in his private apartment. Spandri's collaboration with prominent physicists like Giuseppe Zamboni highlights his role as a key figure in the scientific community of his time. This study sheds light on the intersection of amateur passion and professional scientific inquiry during a pivotal period in European science.
“Venezia è molto grande e bella” – due soggiorni della regina Maria Casimira d’Arquien Sobieska a Venezia e in Veneto negli anni 1699 e 1705
Queen Maria Casimira d’Arquien Sobieska's two visits to Venice and the Veneto region (1699, 1705) revealed nuanced cultural and political dynamics. Her stays were marked by elaborate receptions reflecting her royal status, pious practices, and keen observations of urban life in Verona, Padua, and Venice. Notably, she engaged deeply with Venetian cultural life, including carnival traditions and dramatic performances, while her reception varied with Europe's shifting political landscape. The study reconstructs these journeys through archival sources, diplomatic records, and contemporary accounts, offering insights into 18th-century elite interactions, religious devotion, and cultural exchange in the Venetian Republic.
Fast survey and digital databases of fortified systems for the tale of Venetian "Stato da Mar"
A comprehensive digital documentation of Venetian fortified systems, spanning from Verona to the eastern Mediterranean, reveals their architectural and historical significance. This study combines advanced survey techniques—such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning, Mobile Laser Scanning, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle photogrammetry—with 3D modeling to create an updated archive of these structures. The research, part of a regional project, sheds light on the defensive systems that connected Venice’s 'Stato da Mar' to its Mediterranean territories, including Dalmatia and Montenegro. By integrating historical documentation with modern digital tools, the study provides valuable insights for the preservation and management of these UNESCO-relevant sites, ensuring their long-term protection.
From Verona, with love: “anti-gender” mobilizations and transfeminist (re)actions
Transfeminist activism in Verona demonstrates resilience against 'anti-gender' movements, highlighting the effectiveness of organized counteractions. The study examines Italian 'anti-gender' campaigns (2013–2017), particularly those led by Catholic and right-wing groups, and their legislative impacts, such as the Pillon decree and anti-abortion motions in Verona's City Council. It also analyzes the 13th World Congress of Families held in Verona. Transfeminist responses, including the 'Verona transfeminist city' demonstration and the formation of GIFTS (Italian network of gender studies), underscore the strength of collective resistance. The research combines qualitative analysis of mobilizations with case studies to illustrate the dynamic interplay between conservative backlash and progressive advocacy.
The city at play
A bottom-up revival of the traditional game S'cianco (Tip-cat) in Verona, Italy, has transformed urban space into a dynamic playground, challenging conventional notions of gamification. This citizen-driven movement, spanning over two decades, has not only fostered annual self-organized tournaments but also birthed the Tocatì-International Street Games Festival—a cornerstone event for Europe's Traditional Sports and Games Network. Despite its cultural significance, this phenomenon remains underexplored in academic literature. The paper bridges this gap by analyzing the festival's establishment, offering a framework to study how traditional games reshape urban spaces and community engagement.
Verona Adapt. Modelling as a Planning Instrument: Applying a Climate-Responsive Approach in Verona, Italy
Cities worldwide are adopting nature-based strategies to combat climate change, yet current approaches often lack interdisciplinary collaboration and integration with urban planning. This study presents an innovative framework that bridges urban climatology, landscape planning, and governance to develop climate adaptation solutions for the city of Verona, Italy. Focusing on the district of Verona South, the research demonstrates how climate modelling can be effectively integrated into urban planning to create a green and blue infrastructure responsive to climate challenges. Through critical analysis, it identifies key potentials and barriers in this approach, offering practical recommendations for urban planners and climatologists to collaborate more effectively. The findings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in designing credible and actionable climate adaptation strategies.
Verona dei viaggiatori polacchi (XVII–XIX secolo)
Polish travelers' accounts from the 17th to 19th centuries reveal Verona's shifting perception, transitioning from a brief stopover on the Grand Tour to a purposeful destination with a curated itinerary. Initially overlooked as secondary in Italy, Verona became a focal point for Poles who sought out its Roman amphitheater and later engaged with its ancient architecture, museum collections, and Venetian art, guided by specialized literature and local experts like the Bevilacqua family. By the 19th century, landmarks such as San Zeno and Juliet's house were added to their must-see list, though the latter often disappointed due to poor preservation. This study reconstructs Verona’s evolving significance through these accounts, highlighting the role of guidebooks and local guides in shaping travel narratives.
Community participation in Intangible Cultural Heritage safeguarding
A community-driven approach to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH) has been demonstrated through the Tocatì Programme for the Safeguarding of Traditional Games and Sports, initiated in Verona, Italy. This programme, which connects communities, institutions, researchers, artists, and policymakers, showcases how civil society can effectively implement the UNESCO ICH Convention by fostering a sense of identity and continuity among social actors. The study examines the Tocatì experience, identifying key factors, actors, and steps that contribute to heritage-making, highlighting its role in shaping political, social, and cultural contexts. This case illustrates the dynamic and conflictual nature of heritage preservation while emphasizing the importance of community participation in ICH safeguarding.
Gendered division of labor in a Celtic community? A comparison of sex differences in entheseal changes and long bone shape and robusticity in the pre‐Roman population of Verona (Italy, third–first century BC )
A higher incidence of entheseal changes (EC) in male skeletons suggests sex-specific activities, likely related to farming, among the Cenomani Gauls of Verona during the third–first century BC. Unlike females, males exhibited more pronounced ECs on upper and lower limb attachment sites, indicating distinct biomechanical stress patterns. The study, which analyzed 56 adult individuals (22 females, 34 males), found no significant differences in long bone shape or robusticity between sexes. These findings highlight the relevance of nonbiomechanical factors—such as developmental, hormonal, and genetic influences—in shaping skeletal morphology. The research employed generalized linear models and Mann-Whitney tests to compare EC patterns and bone measurements, offering new insights into gendered labor divisions in Celtic communities.
Il Rosso Ammonitico Inferiore (Baiociano - Calloviano) nei Monti Lessini Settentrionali (Verona)
The study reveals that the lower member of the Rosso Ammonitico Veronese (R.A.V.), a distinctive red, nodular, pelagic limestone formation, spans from late Bajocian to middle Callovian in age. This formation is areally restricted to the 'Trento Ridge,' a structural high isolated during early Jurassic rifting, and is characterized by its condensed sequence of limestones rich in ammonite internal molds. The research describes this member from both biostratigraphical and sedimentological perspectives, highlighting its variable thickness, which reaches up to 8 meters in the southern part of the Trento Ridge, specifically in the Lessini Veronesi area. The study also notes a significant stratigraphic gap between the lower and upper members of the R.A.V., underlined by a mineralized hard ground that marks a sharp break in sedimentation from underlying shallow-water carbonates.
In the middle of the atomic Arena
Verona, Italy, served as a unique Cold War landscape where NATO's sole nuclear missile unit operated amid the city's historic architecture. The study reveals how the integration of military presence with cultural heritage, including opera and concerts, was used strategically for propaganda during the 1950s–60s. Unlike nearby Vicenza, Verona did not see significant urban changes, except for a suburban compound housing American families and facilities. The research analyzes this duality through biographies, memoirs, local press, and military bulletins like 'SETAF Dispatch,' offering insight into the interplay between Cold War military operations and civilian life in a UNESCO-listed city.
‘Feminizing’ Saint Augustine’s City of God: Sister Veronica, the library and scriptorium at Santo Spirito, Verona
A rare Italian codex of Saint Augustine's 'City of God,' copied by nun scribe Veronica in 1472 at the Benedictine convent Santo Spirito in Verona, reveals how women religious interpreted and engaged with this influential text. Unlike known iconographic models, Veronica’s manuscript features unique pen-and-ink miniatures that convey emotional tension, philosophical depth, and allegorical mediation, offering a distinct visual and intellectual lens on Augustine's work. The study also highlights the convent’s vibrant scribal culture, supported by a c. 1475 library inventory and other extant manuscripts, showcasing both elementary and advanced devotional literature accessible to its community. This is the first analysis of a vernacular 'City of God' produced by a nun, shedding light on women's active role in medieval humanist practices and their unique contributions to religious scholarship.
Accommodation prices on Airbnb: effects of host experience and market demand
Hosts on Airbnb dynamically adjust accommodation prices based on their experience and market demand, according to a study analyzing 1,056 listings in Verona, Italy. The research, using regression analysis, found that price flexibility increases with host experience and responds to booking date demand. This challenges traditional pricing models and offers insights for hotels facing Airbnb's disruptive growth. The findings support innovator’s dilemma theory, suggesting strategies for conventional hospitality businesses to adapt.
Holistic model-based monitoring of the human health status in an urban environment system: pilot study in Verona city, Italy
A pilot study in Verona, Italy, reveals significant correlations between urban environmental factors and human health outcomes. Researchers found that hospitalization rates for cancerous diseases were four times lower in the municipal population compared to a regional reference group, with similar trends observed for cardiocirculatory and respiratory pathologies linked to air pollution and landscape ecological quality. The study employed a holistic model integrating landscape ecology, environmental quality indexes, and health indicators, utilizing GIS technology to analyze spatial data. Fisher exact test confirmed non-independence between cardiocirculatory diseases, air pollution, and landscape ecological quality, suggesting that urban environment systems can effectively represent the complexity of human health dynamics.
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