Behind the limestone. Indagini sulle dinamiche degenerative per la rigenerazione del patrimonio costiero fortificato

This ongoing research aims to contribute to the knowledge and conservation of the historical defense coastal towers of Puglia. Many of them are actually in a strong risk of loss due to the abandonment. Here are the results of a survey carried out on four selected towers in Terra d’Otranto. Through the integration of historical, architectural, technological and diagnostic investigations, the working team has highlighted the diversification of constructive attitudes (tech-niques and materials) within the same building program of the 16th century and in transformation phases. Over time, these choices have influenced the conservation of these artifacts. The laboratory investigations carried out on samples of material have highlighted the strong contribution of marine aerosol in the processes of disintegration of carbonate materials. The main dynamic of decay in relation of the nature of the materials and the intensity of external actions have been highlighted. The first results can direct the subsequent insights of the research aiming to outline the future conservation actions starting from the mitigation of physical damage.