Publications
A comprehensive long term monitoring system of an iconic heritage complex: the Assisi Basilica case study
A long-term monitoring system implemented on the bell tower of Assisi's Basilica reveals critical insights into the dynamic behavior and seismic vulnerability of monumental structures. The study, conducted between 2022 and 2023, utilized a network of ultra-low-noise accelerometers and a velocimeter to track modal behavior, assess impacts from recent seismic events, and analyze weather-induced frequency variations. Data managed via cloud-based platforms highlights the tower's response to complex loading conditions, offering a model for preserving heritage sites in seismically active regions. This research advances understanding of long-term structural integrity under dynamic stresses.
"Genova e i Genovesi a Palermo": il patrimonio storico-artistico dalle celebrazioni del IV Centenario della fondazione della Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Genovesi alla sua ricostruzione virtuale
A groundbreaking digital reconstruction of the historical and artistic contributions of Genoa to Palermo, Italy, has been achieved through virtual reenactment. This study presents two innovative digital solutions: an immersive virtual exhibit on ArtSteps and an interactive 3D tour, which revisit key sites such as the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi and the Church of San Giorgio dei Genovesi, while incorporating new attributions from the past 50 years. The research leverages archival documentation, photographic evidence, and testimonies to update and expand understanding of Genoese patronage in Sicily, setting a new standard for Digital Art History. By digitally 're-locating' images from the 1978-79 exhibition within a photogrammetric model of Palazzo Ducale’s Salone del Maggior Consiglio, this work bridges historical celebration with modern technological innovation.
Giotto e la costruzione dello spazio. Le Storie di San Francesco nella Basilica Superiore di Assisi
Giotto's frescoes in the Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi, mark a revolutionary shift in artistic representation by integrating architectural space into narrative and symbolic storytelling. Unlike previous decorative uses, Giotto's work introduces volumetric and perspective techniques that redefine how architecture is depicted in art. The 'Storie di San Francesco' cycle, completed in the mid-14th century, serves as the first comprehensive example of this innovation, blending classical traditions with a new spatial conception. This study examines these frescoes through digital surface analysis, revealing their dual role as both an organizational structure for real space and a tool to explore the interplay between architectural design and figurative narration.
St. Francis/San Francesco
The Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi, Italy, utilizes local Subasio limestone to symbolize the duality of St. Francis and Christ through its architectural design and coloration. The study reveals that the basilica's double construction—mimicking the earthly body of St. Francis and the divine body of Christ—reflects late medieval and early modern religious symbolism, particularly the stark contrast between black and white. This analysis connects the basilica’s materials, plan, and function to contemporary writings about St. Francis’ incorruptible, dazzling white corpse, exploring themes such as Francis/Christ, church/body, and earthly/divine dichotomies.
Theology and Topophilia in Sacred Spaces: John Bradburne’s Way of the Water
John Bradburne's poetic exploration of sacred spaces and waters reveals a profound correlation between theology and topophilia, rooted in Franciscan and Marian devotion. His life, marked by ecstatic visions and mystical experiences, was deeply intertwined with water sources—from the Lake District to Assisi, Lourdes, and beyond—creating spaces of purification and contemplation. Bradburne's practice of bathing patients at the Mutemwa leper colony and his own rituals on Mount Chigona during Zimbabwe's civil war underscored the sacred significance of these waters. Posthumously, Mount Chigona emerged as a pilgrimage site, symbolizing the enduring influence of his mystic journey. This study charts Bradburne’s devotion, the sacralization of spaces, and the role of water in shaping his spiritual legacy.
Power of Patrons: The Franciscan Influence on Pietro Lorenzetti’s Passion Cycle at Assisi
Pietro Lorenzetti's Passion Cycle frescoes at the Assisi Basilica, completed during the Trecento Renaissance period (1306–1340), exemplify the profound influence of Franciscan patronage on religious and artistic pilgrimage. The Lower Church, serving as St. Francis of Assisi's burial site since 1230, transformed from a purely religious destination to one also revered for its Renaissance art and architecture after Lorenzetti's frescoes adorned both the Upper and Lower Churches. This shift underscored the basilica's dual significance—spiritual and aesthetic—contributing to its 1997 designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite scarce records on Lorenzetti's life (born c. 1280–1290 in Siena) and his works (only five signed, often misspelled), the Passion Cycle stands as a testament to Franciscan influence on Renaissance art, blending religious devotion with artistic innovation.
The Legacy of the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi in Franciscan Texts, c. 1305. Three Contrasting Assessments
A re-evaluation of the Sacrum commercium beati Francisci cum Domina Paupertate reveals it as a sharp critique of 13th-century Franciscan practices, not just a narrative about Francis and his brothers. This interpretation contrasts with earlier views, highlighting its role in symbolizing the betrayal of early Franciscan ideals embodied in the Basilica of San Francesco. The study analyzes Ubertino da Casale's 1305 critique alongside two other period testimonies—Jacopone da Todi’s laude and Giles of Assisi’s story—to explain why Ubertino omitted a polemical critique of the basilica despite its significance.
Building paradise on the Hill of Hell in Assisi: Mountain as reliquary
This study reveals how the burial of St. Francis of Assisi's remains on Mount Subasio transformed a once-wild, mountainous landscape into a sacred pilgrimage site, reshaping human-mountain dynamics and creating a lasting religious monument. It explores the paradoxical life of St. Francis—who rejected wealth and scholarship yet became a pivotal figure in Christian thought—and examines how his burial practices influenced community activities and perceptions of the mountain. The research centers on themes of bodies, burials, and bones, analyzing how these elements shape and are shaped by mountainous landscapes, particularly through the lens of 'conversations' between people and place. By integrating historical events with landscape analysis, the study offers a unique perspective on the mythic entwinement of human stories and sacred geography.
Restoration Techniques and Aseismic Reinforcement for Disaster Recovery of the Basilica San Francesco in Assisi, Italy
A groundbreaking seismic reinforcement approach successfully revitalized the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, Italy. The restoration integrated innovative technologies such as Shape Memory Alloy Devices and Shock Transmitters Units with steel belts, alongside traditional spring dampers for cross arches. These advancements were rigorously tested and validated through experimental data, offering a scalable solution for preserving historic structures against seismic disasters. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous technological innovation in disaster recovery, providing a model for future applications in other heritage buildings.
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