<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The study presents the results of the application of a multidisciplinary methodology for a deeper understanding of historical buildings. 3D integrated surveys and stratigraphic methods can together make it possible to date the principle construction and evolution phases of historical buildings for which a thorough historical documentation does not exist for our time.</p><p>The case-study presented involves the Franciscan monastery and adjacent Immacolata church in Troina, which is a small medieval town located in the north-eastern part of Sicily.</p><p>The small number of historical records has only allowed for the dating of the monastery's foundation and of a few of transformation phases. Contrarily to this, various markings on the surfaces of the walls indicate rather the presence of numerous construction phases.</p><p>The inaccessibility of parts of the internal spaces, as well as the existence of a sharp incline of the road and of very high walls along scant sections of the road, are the reasons for having chosen to carry out a 3D laser-scanning survey campaign. It made it possible to document the overall area and the relationship between the different parts of the complex. The integration between 3D laser scanning and photo-modelling methods made it possible to highlight the details, anomalies, traces and signs of the stratifications over time. The results of this integrated survey were explained in a series of graphic elaborations in support to the following stratigraphic investigation, to put in order the numerous traces discovered.</p></p>

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A Digital representation of Euryalus fortress: a historical interpretive studyIt is clear that concepts and cognitive processes aimed at putting forward fortified systems in their relation with the territory and with the surrounding landscape, establish inextricably interwoven “interests” and a consequent osmotic hysteresis between their emergence and disappearance into the deepest part of the earth. The logic behind the defensive structures of Euryalus fortress is particularly interesting. The fortress designed during the Greek period and located on the top of Epipolae hill, represented a strategic fortification for the city’s defence. Therefore, it is reasonable to think about a sequence of emerging or disappearing empty spaces; a semantic vacuum to be filled with logical-subjective interpretations pertaining to those who visit the place. The conceptual framework provides knowledge and documentation meant as indispensable supporting instruments to understand Dionysius I and Archimedes’ thoughts where the integration of people and environment forms the basis of the close iterative connection among nature, artifice and landscape. The research takes this direction implementing innovative technological systems trying to go beyond in order to achieve virtual reconstruction processes, even if partial, of the fortress. Survey, thus, can be applied as an instrument for the knowledge of historical heritage which once converted into digital heritage is a support for the reconstruction of lost ancient scenarios. Actually, the implementation of innovative systems allows an easy-to-use data viewing which supports the interpretive phase, the archiving, consultation and dissemination of survey products. In particular, the survey of the fortress with integrated methodologies (both instrumental and photogrammetric) provides not only a fundamental basis for the documentation of the fortress conditions but also provides a basis for the collection of reconstructive hypotheses formulated by researchers who have been involved with the structure so far. Interactions among archaeology, history, geomorphology and technology make history and a past renowned glory come alive with the common spirit of coming up to a strong synergy between the past and the future destiny of the place.

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