The Medieval San Francesco Convent in Cagliari: From the Architectural, Materical and Historical-Stratigraphical Analysis to the Information System

Abstract

The Franciscan monastery, situated in the historic center of Cagliari (Sardinia), was founded in the thirteenth century, and transformed during the later centuries, up to the present day. The complexity of the case and the lack of objective data about its history has led us to carry out an interdisciplinary inquiry, in order to achieve a better knowledge of the building, preliminary for the drafting of a restoration project that respects all the signs that the time left. Starting from a deep examination of the indirect sources, turned out to be incomplete, the investigation continued with the execution of a survey with laser scanner and with the characterization of materials and related diseases of degradation. For the laser scanner survey we used a Faro Focus 3D, versatile and lightweight instrument that allows to perform scans with high speed point acquisition and high accuracy. For data elaboration we used the JRC 3D Reconstructor Software by the Gexcel srl. The characterization of the materials was performed on a reasoned sampling of natural and artificial materials, referring to masonry, interstitial mortars and plasters, carried out at strategic points, representative of the various phases of the construction. The samples were studied through mineralogical-petrographic methods with instrumental techniques for the analysis of component materials (OM, X-Ray diffraction). The data obtained, crossed with the results of the reconstruction of historical maps, of the examination of masonry techniques and of the analysis of pattern elements (arches, vaults, decorative elements), have facilitated stratigraphic analysis and helped to advance chronological reasoned hypothesis referring to the building. Besides, an interdisciplinary approach for the study of cultural heritage is very important to define a proper restoration and conservation intervention. The work was completed with the setup of a Geographic Information System was borne out of the necessity of providing support for the management of the heritage. The GIS for the San Francesco site was created by using the geometry data obtained from the graphical output of the laser scan, and then completed with the orthophotos and the data obtained from the architectural, material and stratigraphic research.