Rocca Orsini in Alba Fucens (Abruzzo, Italy): structural lecture and intervention strategies for the conservation of a ‘weak’ fortress
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Adalgisa Donatelli [1] ; Barbara Tarullo [2]
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[1] Università de Roma La Sapienza
Università de Roma La Sapienza
Roma Capitale, Italia
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[2] Edilenergia, Avezzano (AQ), Italy
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- Localización: FORTMED 2026. Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean Vol XXIII / Michele Russo (ed. lit.), Marta Acierno (ed. lit.), 2026, ISBN 978-84-1396-412-6, págs. 67-74
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
The structural vulnerability of historic buildings to exceptional events, such as earthquakes, is a well- established and long-debated topic, especially with regard to religious architecture, widespread heritage, and residential buildings. It may seem strange and contradictory to imagine that even fortresses, built for defensive purposes (and then generally taking on representative functions over time), could prove to be fragile. On the other hand, fortresses and fortifications were designed to withstand war, not the earthquakes that have significantly affected Italy throughout history, often contributing to the transformation of cultural heritage. Such premise is the focus of attention on Rocca Orsini, located in the heart of Abruzzo, near Monte Velino, in the hamlet of Alba Fucens in the municipality of Massa d'Albe. Today, the fortress is in ruins, with visible structural damage and collapse, largely caused by the 1915 Avezzano earthquake, which also severely damaged the nearby church of Saint Peter and the ancient medieval village of Alba Vecchia. A structural analysis, conducted on the basis of an in-depth historical and architectural understanding of the fortress, is believed to allow for the recognition of its critical issues and the interpretation of the mechanisms that have occurred and could potentially be activated, especially in view of a future earthquake or other natural disasters. This paper aims to outline a picture of knowledge focused on the structural vulnerabilities of the building, considering possible intervention strategies capable of balancing the structural requirements with the conservation needs of the site.
