Characterizing cracks in the frescoes of Sala degli Elementi within Florence's Palazzo Vecchio

Abstract

On the upper floors of the Palazzo Vecchio's southeast corner, Sala degli Elementi is experiencing significant cracking on its interior walls creating extensive fresco damage. The location of Sala degli Elementi is closest to the corner of Via della Ninna and Via dei Leoni. The Palazzo Vecchio is an historical building where many of the walls support culturally important frescos. The cracks in the frescoes need to be assessed and understood such that the mechanisms for their development are known to assist in the preservation. The history of continued construction activity of the Palazzo Vecchio has resulted in extensive building discontinuities and use of different building materials. As a result, the age of construction varies, leaving an uncertain state of its present day condition. Due to the damage of the frescoes and known structural differences and modifications, a field survey is performed to assess the state of cracking. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.