City of Verona

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of City of Verona from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• 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.

  Bridi, E., Dilaria, S., Bonetto, J., & Previato, C. (2026). From Quarries to Urban Construction Sites: Middle‐Late Mesozoic Limestones in the Public Architecture of Roman Verona, Italy. Geoarchaeology, 41(1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.70045

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• 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.

  Mazzocato, S., & Daffara, C. (2025). Spatio-temporal monitoring of the microsurface modification in artworks under environmental forcing. The European Physical Journal Plus, 140(5). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06281-5

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• 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.

  Bertani, M., van Hoof, J., & Dikken, J. (2025). Getting Older People’s Voices Heard: A Quantitative Study Using the Validated Italian Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire in Venice, Verona and Palermo. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 40(2), 209–234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-025-09532-1

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• 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.

  Mödlinger, M., Bontadi, J., Fellin, M., Fera, M., Negri, M., Utz, J., & Ghiara, G. (2024). The medieval bronze doors of San Zeno, Verona: combining material analyses and art history. Heritage Science, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-024-01143-2

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• 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.

  Zingari, V. L., Long, W., & Ubertazzi, B. (2024). Laws on the Use of the Public Space for Heritage Purposes. The Routledge Handbook of Heritage and the Law, 263–278. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003149392-21

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• 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.

  Demirsu, I. (2024). The Hostile City of Love and Antibodies of Hate. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004692909

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• 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.

  Russo, M., Flenghi, G., Buonacucina, A., & Russo, V. (2024). Virtual reconstruction of destroyed fortifications: the case study of Santa Caterina in Verona. Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean Vol. XVI (FORTMED2024). https://doi.org/10.4995/fortmed2024.2024.18107

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