Civic Tower of Ravenna, Blending Ancient Techniques with Modern Technology
Ravenna’s Civic Tower is more than an architectural landmark: it is a silent witness to centuries of history, weathering time, nature and human activity. Preserving its structural integrity is not just a matter of maintenance, but a mission to protect our cultural memory.
How the past protected the present
Before smart sensors and artificial intelligence, ancient societies relied on traditional engineering wisdom to maintain monumental structures:
- Routine inspections and repairs: in Mesopotamia and Egypt buildings were inspected regularly, cracks were filled with mortar and damaged materials were replaced.
- Local materials: locally sourced stone, wood, mudbrick and lime mortar, chosen for compatibility and durability.
- Innovative techniques: Mesopotamians used bitumen for waterproofing, while the Greeks developed lime mortar and advanced drainage systems against water damage.
- Adaptive reuse: materials from abandoned structures were recycled, preserving both resources and techniques.
- Rules of craftsmanship: maintenance was considered from the design phase, with features that made future inspections and repairs easier.
Effective as they were for their time, these methods lacked the precision and predictive capabilities available today.
MonStr smart monitoring
With the MonStr structural health monitoring (SHM) system, heritage preservation has entered the digital era. In partnership with the Municipality of Ravenna, MonStr is monitoring the static and dynamic behaviour of the Civic Tower to ensure its long-term safety.
- Smart sensors: 9 MonStr devices (MON and MNA types) are installed across the tower, two per floor, except for the basement, which hosts one.
- AI-powered monitoring: the devices continuously collect and analyse data to identify anomalies before they become risks.
- Preventive action: real-time alerts allow early intervention and targeted maintenance, shifting the approach from reactive to proactive.
Tradition and technology together
Blending historical preservation practices with modern SHM technology opens new possibilities for sustainable conservation:
- Data-driven maintenance: monitoring data complements traditional inspection routines for smarter, tailored maintenance plans.
- Craftsman training: local restorers work with MonStr tools while honouring traditional techniques.
- Material compatibility studies: MonStr data shows how materials such as lime mortar or natural resins respond under stress.
- Educational outreach: the Civic Tower becomes an example of how old and new preservation strategies can work together.
- Sustainable restoration: AI diagnostics reduce intrusive interventions, echoing the minimal-maintenance ideals of the past.
- Category
- News
- Sources
- Municipality of Ravenna
- Hao, Y. et al. (2024), Damage and restoration technology of historic buildings of brick and wood structures: a review, Heritage Science
- Rossi, M., Bournas, D. (2022), Structural Health Monitoring and Management of Cultural Heritage Structures: A State-of-the-Art Review, Applied Sciences
- Author
- ASDEA Hardware
The goal of the project is to monitor the Civic Tower's structural health continuously for two years, using artificial intelligence to identify anomalies early, prevent risks and ensure the safety and longevity of this invaluable heritage site.
With MonStr, cultural organisations and public institutions can move from reactive to proactive conservation: real-time alerts and data for early action, tailored reports for restoration planning, a digital archive of structural behaviour, and smart tools integrated into traditional workflows with expert support.
Prevention is the key to preservation.
We invite cultural heritage organisations, restoration professionals and historical societies to collaborate with us, and to protect history with smart, respectful and sustainable methods.
