Publications
Heritage Sites, Devotion, and Quality Enhancement in Tourism: The Promotion and Management of Ancient Marian Places of Worship along the Appian Way in Puglia and Basilicata
Religious tourism, particularly Marian pilgrimage along the Appian Way in Puglia and Basilicata, emerges as a powerful driver for cultural and economic revitalization. This study reveals that integrating devotional practices with sustainable tourism strategies can enhance the quality of life for local communities while preserving spiritual values. The research identifies Marian shrines as pivotal cultural and economic poles, often overlooked by mass tourism, which hold significant potential for experiential and high-quality tourism. By analyzing pilgrimage flows and the diachronic evolution of these sites, the study proposes a serial itinerary that combines material and immaterial heritage, offering a sustainable rediscovery approach aligned with European and local guidelines. The findings underscore the importance of partnerships, local engagement, and quality assessment in managing such heritage routes effectively.
Immersive Appian Way Health Infrastructure: Human Centric Digital Twin (The PAAA Archeological Park of the Appian Way 12km State-Own Section, UNESCO Candidature)
A groundbreaking digital twin of the Appian Way, a UNESCO World Heritage candidate, has been developed to enhance knowledge, preservation, and user experience. This immersive health infrastructure leverages mass digitization and extended reality technologies to create a virtual space that supports contemporary Vitruvian humanistic missions. The 12km state-owned section, initially conceived as an outdoor museum by Luigi Canina in the 19th century, is now being transformed into a dynamic resource for education, communication, and public engagement. This initiative aims to unlock the Appian Way's potential as a source of wealth and healthiness for all users and visitors.
Mobile Mapping for Digital Documentation of Ancient Roman Roads Within a Multi-Sensor Framework: The Appian Way in Rome
A groundbreaking digitization project of the Appian Way in Rome, spanning 12 km from Capo di Bove to Frattocchie, demonstrates how multi-sensor mobile mapping can revolutionize the documentation of complex cultural heritage sites. By integrating lidar-based Mobile Mapping Systems with spheric (360°) and digital calibrated cameras, researchers achieved high-speed data acquisition without compromising accuracy. The resulting point clouds were transformed into a GIS system, providing a powerful tool for public administration decision-making. This approach sets a new standard for precision in documenting ancient Roman roads, balancing speed and accuracy while offering scalable solutions for similar heritage preservation efforts.
Multi-Sensor HR Mass Data Models toward Multi-Temporal-Layered Digital Twins: Maintenance, Design and XR Informed Tour of the Multi-Stratified Appian Way (PAAA)
Advanced multi-sensor data models enable the creation of highly accurate, three-dimensional representations of the Appian Way, a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate. This innovative approach integrates Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS), 360° cameras, Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS), digital cameras, and drones to generate detailed, textured 3D models that outperform traditional CAD methods in maintenance, management, and design processes. The project introduces multi-temporal Digital Twins, combining historical documentation with modern data to offer immersive, XR-informed tours. These models serve as nodes within a geographic hub, enhancing public awareness and supporting conservation efforts through an interactive experience that bridges physical and virtual realms.
Archaeomorphological and Geological Studies on the Ancient Appian Way at the Aurunci Pass: Multidisciplinary Approaches for the Investigation of Ancient Quarries Siting and Exploitation.
A study on the ancient Appian Way between Itri and Fondi, central Italy, reveals that three previously unknown quarries were strategically located along carbonatic slopes. These quarries, identified through aerial photography and photogrammetric analysis, show distinct anthropogenic features such as squared or rectangular morphological edges and regular tool-marks, confirming their use during the Roman Age. The research demonstrates that the geometric characteristics of rock masses, including bedding, joint system spacing, and brittle deformation intensity, significantly influenced the type of material extracted and the exploitation techniques employed. Quarries A and B yielded cubic and pseudo-cubic rock blocks, while Quarry C produced centimeter-sized debris from a cataclastic rock volume associated with a normal fault. This investigation lays the groundwork for further analysis of local quarry systems, potentially including minor quarries used for road maintenance and other construction projects.
The Sacred Almone River of the Appian Way Regional Park in Rome: ancient myths, a ritual link between Rome and Asia Minor and water uses in the modern age
The Almone River, though small, holds significant historical and cultural importance as it played a pivotal role in ancient Roman rituals, particularly the lavatio ceremony for the Great Mother-Cybele goddess. This study reveals its dual significance—both sacred in antiquity and practical in later periods, shaping local settlements and economies through water mills and wool-fulling mills ('valche'). The research combines historical analysis with modern observations to highlight the river's enduring legacy, from its ritual use to its role in artisanal activities during the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and beyond. One restored mill now serves as a visitor center for the Appian Way Regional Park, underscoring the river's continued cultural and tourist value.
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