Development and spread of anti–seismic iron structures in Sicily in the 18th and 19th centuries

the purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to the subject of anti–seismic con- struction techniques in sicily between the eighteenth and the Nineteenth centuries, with particular reference to the solutions based on the use of iron. the research, which is grounded on a cross–study of bibliographical sources (with particular reference to those pertaining to memoirs) and the documentation that has emerged thanks to new archival surveys, as well as on the direct study of buildings, has mainly taken into consideration the interventions carried out after three significant seismic events: those that hit palermo in 1726 and in 1751 and the one that struck the northern area of the island in 1823, by establishing a comparison aimed at verifying the persistence and innovation that characterised the construction solutions developed by the exponents of the local technical culture. after a brief analysis of the most frequent types of damage, the investigation aims at disclosing a series of interventions on buildings of great architectural value in the urban centres affected by the abovementioned earthquakes, and which have largely resorted to the use of iron as a structural element that was able to offer a useful guarantee for a really “anti–seismic” reconstruction. also elaborating on the role of the architects and workers involved in the reconstruction process, this study pays special attention to the technologies deployed in the process of reinforcing the damaged buildings, which are examined in detail by analysing some exemplifying cases, also proving that the same earthquake prevention methods influence new constructions as well.