San Fermo Monastery in Verona, Italy: Studies and Vulnerability Analysis of a Post 2ndWW Reconstruction

The complex of the former San Fermo Maggiore in Verona is a system of contiguous cloisters. The first monastic nucleus on the banks of the Adige River is linked to the Benedictine presence probably from 996. With the transformations made by the Franciscan Minors starting from 1261, the monastic settlement expanded. The transformation of the Convent for the inclusion of government offices begins in 1807 and it lasted in several phases until 1937. During the II World War the complex was heavily damaged by bombing. The reconstruction took place in many lots and lasted until the 1970s. After that, other modifications occurred to adapt to the needs of the new use as Verona Superintendency headquarters. The article presents a study campaign on post-war interventions, carried out on the site documentation available in the city archives. At least 13 lots were realized: all the accounting documents were analyzed. After that, the information obtained from the documents had been verified on the building with on-site inspections and small assays. Geometrical laser scanner survey and structural surveys were carried on. All the results were used to define the structures diagnostic campaign. Particular attention was paid to the study of the insertion of reinforced concrete frames inside the original stone masonry structure. The study revealed that traditional construction techniques have remained in common practice during the 30-year reconstruction, and they have adapted to the introduction of new cement-based materials. Finally, structural analysis was carried on with results obtained from the above studies.