The revolving scaffolding for the restoration of the Pantheon dome (Giovanni Corsini, 1756). Historical survey, virtual and physical models

The scaffolding for the temporary work of maintenance and restoration of structures is very important in building construction. Scientific literature focuses only on the most significant cases, and the topic is still little investigated in Construction History. The numerous construction and maintenance operations of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome – from the 16th century until the early decades of the 20th century – were significant occasions to improve the scaffolding design. The valuable improvement conducted by the master carpenters of the St. Peter Fabrica was a useful training for the technicians of the time, involved in the restoration works, even outside the Vatican. Among these, the rotating scaffolding project carried out in 1756 by Giovanni Corsini and Tommaso Albertini for the restoration of the interior of the Pantheon dome is undoubtedly the most relevant. In this contribution, a virtual and a physical model – 1:50 – allow us to verify the actual geometry of the Corsini scaffolding, and its effective functioning.