METHODOLOGICAL STUDY FOR THE PREPARATION OF DIAGNOSTIC PLAN OF PAPASIDERO CASTLE (CS)

Any action in the field of cultural heritage should always aim at the protection and conservation of monuments, vestiges of historical ages and human events. The time, with its constant action, loads works with a store of very precious information, but, at the same time, causes their deterioration and decay, which, if not properly stopped, lead to their inevitable destruction. In order to contrast this action, it is necessary to plan suitable and targeted operations of prevention and conservation, which are defined on the basis of information deriving from the in-depth knowledge of the monument. The situation is rather complex, especially in the case of a completely deteriorated and decayed monument, such as Papasidero Castle, whichis situated in the province of Cosenza, Italy.The multidisciplinary study conducted on the Castle of Papasidero, began a preliminary investigation historical-architectural, first of battlements in the province of Cosenza in Calabria and then the case study, which allowed the determination of the diagnostic procedures necessary to obtain specific knowledge about the materials and diseases of the building. In particular, analyzes of representative samples such as optical microscopy and SEM, electronical scanning microscope. A correct and detailed analysis allows obtaining data to create an adequate conservation plan that must, however, be verified through experimental compatibility tests in order to avoid actions which may clash with existing elements. The purpose of this paper is to point out that it is not possible to devise conservation and restoration works without a diagnostic plan that may help understand and interpret the building as a whole.