In this paper, an integrated prospecting performed in the atypical Romanesque church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro in Brindisi, southern Italy is presented. Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and ultrasonic data have been gathered on the circular load‐bearing colonnade of the monument. Here the results achieved on two of the columns are shown. The GPR data have been processed and have allowed to identify and focus the medieval internal metallic hinges joining the stone trunks in one of the columns and some reinforcement rebars in the other (and probably also the residual track of a restored fracture). The ultrasonic data have allowed to monitor the state of compactness and to assess the effectiveness of reinforcement interventions on the columns.

Abstract. In this paper we propose an integrated approach to diagnostic prospecting applied to the cathedral of Matera, in Southern Italy. In particular, we have performed both an ultrasonic tomography and a high frequency GPR prospecting on some pillars of the Church to investigate about possible structural yielding and a GPR prospecting at lower frequencies on the floor, where also a linear inversion algorithm has been applied to the data.

In recent years, a lot of studies on built heritage emphasize the need to use appropriate techniques to evaluate the current condition of the structure before designing an intervention. The research focuses on the restoration of reinforced concrete buildings that begin to show signs of decay and deterioration. To verify the state of a building, it’s possible to use the “destructive” methods (that require a local removal of material) and “nondestructive” tests. The combined results from different “nondestructive” tests are very interesting instruments to assess the concrete strength. This methodological approach can help to reduce the possible errors when using the sclerometer and ultrasonic tests separately; in this way, the combined method called “SonReb” (SONic + REBound) was developed. This paper would highlight the importance with respect to cultural heritage buildings and on the studied structure and contribute to developed engineering strategies to maintenance and restoration. The above-defined methodology has been tested on a postwar building which is located in Gravina in Puglia (Italy): the “Centrone” theatre; it was built using a mixed structure, that is, reinforced concrete and bearing masonry built of local stone. The building was used until the 1990s and now is abandoned. The analysis and qualification of the masonry structures of built heritage show how this approach is useful for classifying the pathological events on each building and to implement the innovative solutions to improve the durability of a restoration intervention.

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Underground architecture, like the "Sassi" in Matera, makes people imagine life in the past and reconsider present life in these places "without time" and how to "live" them, again like in the "past". This scientific research focuses on the quality of indoor living in this particular type of architecture.Today indoor comfort is essential, because 85-90% of time is spent in closed spaces (rooms, work environment, etc.). Closed air, can be for people, more polluting and harmful than open air, as, inside we also have other harmful agents (germs, gas, dust and so on) whose danger is often undervalued.Today it is very important while projecting to consider first of all the quality of indoor air and comfort.The aim of this research is to analyse the thermal and hygrometer performance of underground spaces and to show how traditional Mediterranean masonry offers, also today, a high level of indoor comfort.We did this with tests "in situ" monitoring indoor comfort (as low requests UNI EN ISO 7730 1997 and UNI EN ISO 7726 2002, by directive CEE n° 106/89).The experiment was verified through the experimental applications in the restoration of two urban buildings in ancient "Sassi" in Matera, reconverted into hotels, the "Locanda di S. Martino" and "Hotel S. Angelo", that demonstrates as said before and how these building are suitable with the performance requirement that is required from residence environments (European Directive 2002/91/CE and Italian low D.lgs 192/05 -311/06) even if they are built with traditional technologies.