Conservazione del patrimonio architettonico di pietra corallina. Conoscenza, restauro e fruizione.

Conservation of the coral stone architectural heritage: knowledge, restoration and use. Abstract. In my studies about conservation of the coral stone architectural heritage, I’ve dealt with five main themes. The first one describes the organization method of the subjects concerning the natural and historical contexts. Nature and art form an important part of our cultural heritage and, as such, they can be critically interpreted. In the second theme I have developed the issue of how coral reefs have been studied and the interest they have raised, using the fundamental works of the naturalists, geologists and travellers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the third theme I have focused on the previous studies on the use of coral limestone in buildings. The fourth theme examines the methodologies aimed at conserving the historical settlements on the tropical coasts, giving special attention to the environmental aspects. Then, in the fifth and last theme I have analysed the experiences related to field studies. Particular attention has been given to coastal settlements in East Africa: Zanzibar, Lamu, Ilha do Ibo, Ilha de Mozambique, Inhambane, discussing the technology and methodology used, a field still relatively unexplored.

Tesi di dottorato