La facciata del Gesù Nuovo di Napoli: la lettura del bugnato e l'intervento di restauro

The conservation project of the facade of the Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo in Naples dealt with the challenge of preserving not only an important architectural heritage, but also its perception and iconicity in the city’s memory. This facade, with its characteristic diamond masonry in piperno, has deep roots in the history of Naples, recorded in historical views, postcards and photographs. The restoration has made it possible to approach the monument in a new way, revealing hidden details and construction techniques that contribute to an impressive view from below. The intervention also had to consider the relationship with the city and the importance of maintaining the consolidated appearance of the facade, including the colour characteristic of the piperno stone ashlars. The conservation approach required a deep understanding of the construction phases and previous restorations, through surveys and archive research, comparing historical data and materials to understand the evolution of the building over time. This complex methodological approach, known as ‘cantiere della conoscenza’ is essential for consciously intervening on buildings of great historical and cultural value. Although diagnostics can reveal specific pathologies and thus guide interventions, many other elements may emerge during the process. The vast extension of the facade and the complex texture of the ashlars required adaptations during restoration to deal with problems such as hidden cracks and degradation phenomena of a high severity that could not be read until on site. The degradation of the stone materials was analysed in detail, revealing layers of extraneous materials, probably a residue of previous undocumented restorations. This constant research and continuous adaptation to technical aspects constitute the heart of the restoration works on the facade of the Gesù Nuovo, an authentic ‘labor of knowledge’.