Integrated and advanced techniques of survey for the definition of lost facies of the monumental architecture

The analysis of an architecture characterized by geometrical, functional and historical complexity requires the fundamental and crucial acquisition of metrics data, iconographic and archival documents, followed by a correct comparison and interpretation of the collected information. The aim of this process is to give a precise critical interpretation of the building - or some of its specific areas - as close as possible to reality such as to allow a reliable reconstruction of those aspects that got possibly lost over time. In the specific case, this approach wants to offer a vital support to the study of those aspects of the monumental architecture that have been heavily altered by inappropriate interventions. In this paper, the methodological process is related to a quite large number of interventions on Villa Mondragone in Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), the largest among the princely houses of the Tuscolan Complex. The task, here, is to get an accurate reconstruction of the facades facing Piazzale Maggiore, a large inner courtyard of the vast complex, focusing in particular on the latest large process of transformation, started nearly a century ago. We based our study on bibliographical sources, on recent years’ historical data researches and on the analysis of the iconographic documentation, as well as on surveys of the state of fact by using different techniques. A considerable support to the research came from the use of the new survey technologies, which the main object of this article. These technologies have been managed in an integrated manner on the areas of interest. They have helped to obtain considerably accurate surveys such as to guarantee a high degree of reliability to the reconstructive hypotheses subsequently processed. On one hand, the survey has relied on the capabilities of the laser-scanner, and of the other hand on the aerial photogrammetry with operations done with different types of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and digital cameras. A series of different reasons required the use of various tools for indirect survey, as shown in the text. The most important one is due to the relevant dimensional characteristics of the building and the surrounding context. This work is part of a broader line of research on the Ville Tuscolane and here it mainly refers to the applications of the most advanced systems for surveying and modeling of monumental architecture of historical interest. It has provided interesting food for thought and technological and methodological comparison on the theme of philological reconstruction of the lost internal fronts of Piazzale Maggiore of Villa Mondragone. This was possible thanks to some similar elements on the facade facing the outside of the Manica Lunga (the longest eastern side of of the building enclosing the court) emerged during the surveys of this front.