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The paper is focused on the historical-architectural evolution and material-technical qualification of polychrome majolica domes that were built between the 17th and 19th centuries in Apulian religious buildings. In particular, the cultural context in which this solution spread throughout the Mediterranean area is identified. Moreover, the case history of construction and decorative techniques that are distinctive of the regional territory is discussed in terms of underlying structure, installation of elements and surface colours. The study is then detailed on the Church of Santa Maria della Vetrana in Castellana Grotte (BA), for which the morpho-typological survey and mapping of the decay state are presented, based on the use of terrestrial and aerial digital photogrammetry. Finally, based on the identification of the main pathologies from both direct and indirect alteration factors, the most appropriate conservation and maintenance interventions are outlined, with specific focus on repair and integration of the majolica tiles, according to principles of high compatibility and low intrusiveness for a solution meeting artisan tradition and technical practice.

Nowadays, the conservation of the cultural heritage requires the development of preventive protection strategies that should be increasingly innovative, effective, long-lasting, as well as economically sustainable. Although existing legislation provides for scheduled maintenance aimed at preventing deterioration and reducing operating costs, to date there are no decision support tools to assist in the periodic planning of the interventions to be executed. The aim of the research is to define the techniques and the innovative strategies of the maintenance process, focusing on the Smart capacity of such process. The research objectives are related to specific phases. Fact-finding phase: Carry out actions and interventions for managing available resources and for implementing policies through the development of a technological platform for planning preventative maintenance operations. The diagnostic phase: Carried out with the support of the heritage building information modelling methodology. Its aim is to define a specific degradation phenomenon in time and space, and to measure it in order to identify the appropriate steps to take for maintenance or restoration operations. Participatory phase: The aim is the development of a multimedia platform, accessible to every type of user. This platform should allow the exchange of heterogeneous information, through the implementation of known systems for managing digital assets. The final result of research will be the formulation of an information and communication technologies model that indicates the optimal maintenance frequency of a work of art based on its state of degradation (measured through indicators correlated with the nature of the material and the internal and external environmental conditions, continuously monitored), cost of maintenance and durability of the interventions performed. An additional expected result will be the development of a participatory app, designed as a tool for promoting the accessibility and usability of the digital cultural content of an asset or of a cultural itinerary, and present it as a 'virtual tour', and for ultimately developing a broader 'digital culture' of the cultural heritage.

The paper is focused on the historical-architectural evolution and material-technical qualification of polychrome majolica domes that were built between the 17th and 19th centuries in Apulian religious buildings. In particular, the cultural context in which this solution spread throughout the Mediterranean area is identified. Moreover, the case history of construction and decorative techniques that are distinctive of the regional territory is discussed in terms of underlying structure, installation of elements and surface colours. The study is then detailed on the Church of Santa Maria della Vetrana in Castellana Grotte (BA), for which the morpho-typological survey and mapping of the decay state are presented, based on the use of terrestrial and aerial digital photogrammetry. Finally, based on the identification of the main pathologies from both direct and indirect alteration factors, the most appropriate conservation and maintenance interventions are outlined, with specific focus on repair and integration of the majolica tiles, according to principles of high compatibility and low intrusiveness for a solution meeting artisan tradition and technical practice.

No abstract