The construction and the collapse of the Tiber retaining walls in Rome, Italy (1870-1900)

This paper addresses the construction history of the River Tiber retaining walls (muraglioni) in Rome, Italy, between 1876 and 1900. In particular, the construction and the collapse of the Anguillara and Alberteschi sections are analysed through the analysis of the literature of the time and the archival source of the Genio Civile of Rome, after the river flood of December 1900. The retaining wall collapse and the subsequent studies on stability conditions conducted in 1901 are presented and discussed to improve the knowledge of geotechnical engineering history and its crucial role in the maintenance of existing heritage structures.