Integrated survey techniques for historical architectures: first results for Santa Maria della Croce in Casaranello, South of Italy

Historic buildings are complex structures because of both materials and construction techniques that have occurred between the different eras, as well as from the historical point of view (periods of abandonment, changes of use, changes on the original plant, etc...). All events leave marks on the building that form layers legible with different techniques and appropriate analytical procedures. In recent decades, stratigraphic analysis of both positive and negative units has been performed through non-invasive and non-destructive techniques. Here the authors propose a "combined" analysis of different techniques in order to obtain a complete knowledge of the architectural structure of the building under investigation. The case study chosen is the church called S. Maria della Croce whose architectural vicissitudes are and have been the subject of study for the relevant historical interest of the monument. The investigation techniques identified to analyze the stratigraphic units of the building are 3D scanning, infrared thermography, and ground penetrating radar (GPR) techniques. These investigations aim to understand what was the original function of the building. In this paper preliminary information of the research activity is reported, related to the thermographic investigation carried out on the front facade of the church object of investigation, through which the authors want to highlight possible traces of occlusions, openings, removal of materials that can clarify the original use of the monument.