Preliminary approach to conservative actions on artefacts of historical and monumental value. application to four old bridges crossing the Savuto river in Calabria

In the valley of the Savuto river, in the Calabrian Apennine area, located about thirty kilometres south of Cosenza city, there are still some interesting traces of the Via Popilia, the ancient Roman road built in 132 B.C. to connect Capua to Reggio Calabria. In particular, a bridge of great historical-monumental value and unique aesthetics resulting from an arched stone structure. Other bridges were built to cross the Savuto river in more recent times, around the 16th century, recalling shape and structures similar to the Roman bridge. Within the framework of a specific research, three of them located in the middle valley, have been identified, a short distance from each other. It seemed interesting to analyse their characteristics, to highlight their historical-monumental value, but also to draw attention to the opportunity to use advanced investigation and analysis tools, in order to prevent risks of degradation or irreparable failures. In the awareness that only through targeted and balanced actions, based on knowledge, can it be ensured the future for valuable manufacturing monuments, to consider furthermore as relevant resources of fascinating tourist-cultural journeys. The paper proposes a methodological study approach aimed at safeguarding and enhancing the four bridges that have endured the centuries, with specific emphasis on the preparatory phase of knowledge. The focus is addressed, primarily, to the phases of field investigation, to the photographic survey, to the recording of morphological and structural characteristics, to the procedures of structural and materials analyses.