3D INTEGRATED SURVEYS AND STRATIGRAPHIC METHODS FOR A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS. A CASE-STUDY OF THE FRANCISCAN MONASTERY AND THE IMMACOLATA CHURCH IN TROINA, SICILY
<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The study presents the results of the application of a multidisciplinary methodology for a deeper understanding of historical buildings. 3D integrated surveys and stratigraphic methods can together make it possible to date the principle construction and evolution phases of historical buildings for which a thorough historical documentation does not exist for our time.</p><p>The case-study presented involves the Franciscan monastery and adjacent Immacolata church in Troina, which is a small medieval town located in the north-eastern part of Sicily.</p><p>The small number of historical records has only allowed for the dating of the monastery's foundation and of a few of transformation phases. Contrarily to this, various markings on the surfaces of the walls indicate rather the presence of numerous construction phases.</p><p>The inaccessibility of parts of the internal spaces, as well as the existence of a sharp incline of the road and of very high walls along scant sections of the road, are the reasons for having chosen to carry out a 3D laser-scanning survey campaign. It made it possible to document the overall area and the relationship between the different parts of the complex. The integration between 3D laser scanning and photo-modelling methods made it possible to highlight the details, anomalies, traces and signs of the stratifications over time. The results of this integrated survey were explained in a series of graphic elaborations in support to the following stratigraphic investigation, to put in order the numerous traces discovered.</p></p>