Resumen de The Rocca Vecchia fortress in the Gorgona island (Tuscany, Italy):building materials and conservation issues
Fabio Fratini, Silvia Rescic, Daniela Pittaluga, Francesca De Vita
The ancient fortress known as Rocca Vecchia (Old Fortress) dominates the Gorgona island from a rocky spur on the western side, at about 200 m s.l.m. It was built by the Republic of Pisa and dated to the 13th century, but it seems that the settlement was originally represented by a single tower dating back to the 11th century, as evidenced by the dating of some ceramic finds in recent archaeological excavations. This tower was erected above previous structures that could also be very ancient. Around this structure, still identifiable in the current structure, other parts were added, up to give it a polygonal and asymmetrical plan, with three quarters of the perimeter exposed on a cliff overlooking the sea. The whole structure is currently in a severe state of conservation. The collapses are evident with the fall of some roofs and most of the summit ridges and with the presence of structural lesions. The action of the marine aerosol, in particular on the seafront, has caused extensive phenomena of alveolization in the bricks and in the stone ashlars with erosion of the plasters and bedding mortars. The study will examine the composition of the artificial stone materials (bricks, bedding mortars, plasters). The results will be useful from the historical point of view (origin of the raw materials from inside or outside the island) and for the future conservation intervention which, under the auspices of the former director of the jailhouse, will have to involve a group of prisoners who will also have the task of the subsequent maintenance.
