Rope access inspection at Arco castle (Trento)
4 July 2017
Arco Castle (Trento) is renowned both for its historical significance and for its magnificent setting, which also captured the imagination of the German painter Albrecht Dürer, who depicted it in a celebrated watercolor during his first journey to Italy in 1495.
In order to safeguard such a significant monument, the Municipality of Arco commissioned FOPPOLI MORETTA e ASSOCIATI srl, together with architect Filippo Antonello of Verona, to carry out a comprehensive inspection of the conservation state of the castle’s defensive walls.
Due to the specific location of the structures—set on a rocky spur overlooking the town of Arco—it was necessary to operate using rope access and positioning techniques. The operations were carried out by a skilled and well-coordinated team composed of Eng. Dario Foppoli and Arch. Filippo Antonello, who, on the one hand, bring extensive expertise in the analysis of conservation conditions and the design of restoration interventions, and on the other are also specialized in rope-based operations on historic and iconic buildings.
The direct inspection, currently underway, was preceded by a three-dimensional survey of the masonry elements carried out using a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera, thus integrating hands-on experience with the most advanced survey techniques. The results will be presented through detailed condition assessment reports, which will form the basis for developing design guidelines to support future interventions.
The approach currently being applied at Arco Castle therefore represents, within the national context, an innovative methodology for heritage conservation, particularly suited to contexts characterized by widespread and difficult-to-access heritage, as is typical in Italy.
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