The Aeterna Urbs Geomorphological Heritage (Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The largest European cities are characterised by millennia of urbanisation. ‘Man-made layering’ over time has modified the original natural setting on which these cities have developed, but an expert eye can often still recognise the ancient geomorphological features of the landscape. We show an example of the identification of the original geomorphological characteristics of the landscape over which the city centre of Rome developed, by means of a geomorphological survey conducted in this urban environment. The aim of the analysis is the enhancement of geotourism in the city centre, by describing the palaeogeography of ancient Rome through the landforms that are still visible. The geomorphological survey led to the identification of two geomorphosites. We developed an evaluation model of the Geotourist Value of a Site (VSG index), which consists of the quantification of five fundamental attributes for a geosite, characterizing its scientific and geotourist interests. The VSG index produces an order of priority for geosites for their enhancement. These results are transferred to the proposal for a geotourist itinerary, along which the selected geosites are joined and related to the historical and cultural features of the city. The itinerary is also represented on a geotourist map, created through the union of scientific and popularised electronic devices. The major outcome of this study is to supplement a proposal for the developing the historical and cultural tourism of the Aeterna Urbs combined with its natural environment features, highlighting the importance of the close connection between these themes.