Extrados Vaults in the Chartreuse of San Giacomo in Capri, Italy: History, Knowledge and Conservation of a Vernacular Architecture in the Mediterranean Landscape

Abstract

[EN] This contribution explores the restoration issues concerning extrados vaults in Capri covered by lapilli aggregate, an artisanal mortar realized with eruptive products. In particular, the contribution will focus on the vaults located in the Chartreuse of San Giacomo in Capri, one of the island’s oldest architectural landmarks, built in 1371 on the lush southern shore of the island. Different kinds of extrados vaults can be found in the chartreuse, all covered by lapilli aggregate, a special protective surface whose preparation and laying down require a high level of craftsmanship. The adoption of this construction technique makes the ancient chartreuse a precursor of an extensive application of this specific covering to the rural heritage, built either on the island or on the coasts of Southern Italy. The application on the chartreuse is an important contribution to the definition of one of the cornerstones of the collective language of vernacular architecture in the Mediterranean landscape. The study starts from a material-typological reconstruction of the extrados vaults of the Chartreuse of San Giacomo, focusing also on the interventions realized on these structures in the past. Then, the conservation issues have been analysed in order to define the possible scenarios of a sustainable maintenance and restoration interventions. On this point, the study intersects with ongoing research on the identification of new products to substitute/reintegrate the technique of lapillus; this study is being conducted by the research unit of the Department of Architecture at the University of Naples Federico II, part of a PNRR Project promoted by the CHANGES foundation, which seeks to promote sustainable practices in cultural heritage preservation.