International Journal of Euro-Mediterranean Studies
The International Journal of Euro-Mediterranean Studies (IJEMS) is an open-access peer-reviewed journal for the study of the Euro-Mediterranean region. It aims to promote engagement with the realities and ideas in the Euro-Mediterranean region, thereby developing scholarly capital and improving intercultural understanding among scholars. It publishes articles on contemporary affairs or past aspects using a variety of methodologies and approaches, representing the full geographical range wherever it is published.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Historical Evolution of Water Management in Liguria: From Agricultural Landscapes to Coastal Gardens
Liguria is an Italian region on the Mediterranean, consisting of a narrow hilly arc overlooking the sea, with the Magra River being the only watercourse of significant flow. Despite its limited territorial extent scarce surface water, Liguria has always been a land of considerable agricultural diversity. Historically, water use was shaped by the contrast between the communal management of public resources and the individualism associated with private properties. This study examines the transformation of an arid landscape arid terrain into fertile land through sustainable water management management practices. The construction of terraces on steep slopes for cultivation, as well as the building along with the development of canals and cisterns for the ingenious use of water, are well documented through extensive historical records and cartography. Coastal agricultural systems, such as those in the Cinque Terre and Chiavari, offer emblematic examples of water management. In noble estates, water played a key examples of water management. In noble estates, water played a key role not only in sustainingMediterranean vegetation through elaborate hydraulic systems but also in maintaining productive agricultural areas. Liguria’s centuries-old expertise in water management provides valuable insights for addressing contemporary challenges. Integrating traditional practices with technological innovation may offer sustainable solutions for the future.
Ancient Hydrologic Systems and Water Management in the Mediterranean Region
Copyright (c) 2025 Patrizia Burlando https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Heritage at Risk: Documenting and Valorising Ice-Houses in Mountain Territories
Throughout history, people have always faced challenges in the collection and distribution of water in its various forms. The collection and transportation of ice, in particular, posed significant difficulties. Since antiquity ice storage and distribution systems, such as ice-houses, have been employed worldwide. Mediterranean countries have, over time, developed extensive ice storage and distribution networks. Snow was collected at high altitudes and stored in mountain ice-houses, while artificial lakes were constructed specially for ice production. Icehouses belonged to two main categories: those strategically located near production areas, serving as summer storage facilities, and those situated in villages on the plains, where ice was stored after purchase. Today, ice-houses risk being forgotten. While a few of them are still used, for example for aging wine, most have long been abandoned, lost to memory, or fallen into disrepair. Only a very small number of ice-houses, such as the Madonnina ice-house in the Ecomuseum of the Pistoia Mountain, are currently being protected and enhanced as part of the local built heritage. This contribution aims to raise awareness of the heritage value of ice-houses to foster their preservation and promote their enhancement. This can be achieved through the systematic documentation of ice-houses and of the systems historically employed for ice preservation, thereby ensuring the long-term conservation and effective appreciation of these structures.
Copyright (c) 2025 Manuela Mattone, Silvia Rescic, Giulia Formato, Fabio Fratini https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Water Management and Land Defense: Roman Artificial Lake Emissaries
This paper compares hydraulic works constructed during the Roman period for the managing of the waters of several lakes in central Italy that lack natural outlet. The lakes of Albano and Nemi, both located in the southeast of Rome – in the Castelli Romani Park – and the basin of Lake Fucino in Abruzzo (which no longer exist due to its complete drainage in the 19th century) present notable similarities: each featured an artificial outlet created through the excavation of underground tunnels, extending several kilometers in lenght. The primary objective of these works was to regulate water levels and prevent flooding in the surrounding lowland areas. By examining different construction phases and building techniques used, through the analysis of bibliographic sources and direct observation of the structures and their contexts, this study identifies both similarities and differences among the various cases. The research aims to raise awareness of these engineering works, which are of significant architectural, historical, and landscape value. Their preservation poses considerable challenges for enhancement and future use, owing to the complexity of the structures and the multidisciplinary nature of the research required.
Copyright (c) 2025 Laura Palmieri del Beato, Carla Bartolomucci, Simonetta Ciranna https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
From Open Courtyards to Enclosed Sanctuaries: A Methodological Approach to the Assessment of Ablution Spaces in Marrakech’s Religious Complexes
This study explores the architectural and functional evolution of ablution spaces in the historic mosques of Marrakech, from the 12th century to the present day. Focusing on mosques from the Almoravid to Saadian periods, it examines how these spaces transitioned from open-air communal water features to enclosed, technologically advanced environments. By comparing the design and functionality of ablution spaces across different eras, the research highlights the interplay between theological principles and architectural adaptations. The study collects detailed spatial and structural data through on-site photography and 3D scanning, creating high-resolution models of these spaces. This material is analyzed to assess the condition of ablution areas, their integration within mosque layouts, and the balance between historical authenticity and modern functional needs. The findings aim to identify urgent preservation priorities and propose restoration strategies, contributing to improved water-related heritage management within Islamic architecture. Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights into preserving traditional elements of Islamic architecture while adapting them to contemporary demands, ensuring that their historical and cultural significance remains intact.
Copyright (c) 2025 Khaoula Admou, Hajar Moussanif, Mounsif Ibnoussina https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Sacred Wells: Pagan Survivals and Christian Worship
This study examines the relationship between the pagan cult of water and Christian architecture in Italy, with a particular focus on the survival of sacred sites such as ritual wells, which were either integrated into churches during the Middle Ages or served as focal points for the construction of Christian buildings. In pagan traditions, natural elements were imbued with sacred significance, later reinterpreted and adapted to align with Christian beliefs. Archival records attest to the persistence of ancient rituals well into the Middle Ages, as well as the Church’s efforts to suppress superstitions associated with the pagan world. Over time, these beliefs underwent a process of transformation: wells once dedicated to pagan deities were frequently repurposed for the veneration of Christian saints. In some instances, these structures were either replaced or reinterpreted within a new religious framework while preserving their symbolic and spiritual significance. Even today, certain aspects of ancient customs endure through popular folklore, contributing to the preservation of historical memory and intangible cultural heritage. Through an analysis of historical sources, architectural evidence, and liturgical practices, this study explores the continuity of pagan worship sites during the Middle Ages, emphasizing the central role of water. As a spiritual element common to diverse religious traditions, water played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of pre-Christian sacred structures, fostering continuity between ancient and emerging forms of spirituality.
Copyright (c) 2025 Alessandra Panicco https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Tracing Conflict Through Canals: An Archaeological Perspective on Water Management in Cerdanya and Sierra Nevada
Water resource management has long shaped the social construction of space in both its material and jurisdictional dimensions, making Cerdanya and Sierra Nevada particularly interesting case studies of irrigation societies. The sharing of water (through artefacts, practices, and actions) emerges as a key factor in ensuring continuity despite the jurisdictional conflicts documented historically. Revisiting the debate on collective resources, this study highlights the positive role of conflict as a mechanism for regulating access and examines the contribution of objects to the persistence and transformation of resource use. Objects such as canals are not passive infrastructures but active devices through which water is distributed, social relations are mobilised and maintenance becomes a collective practice. The article explores how the maintenance and use of conduits shaped the social life of groups engaged in irrigation, and how these practices are reflected in negotiation mechanisms documented in disputes over access rights. Drawing on case studies from Barranco de la Poqueira (Sierra Nevada) and Ribeira d’Eyne (Cerdanya), carried out by the Laboratory of Environmental Archaeology and History, the contribution examines the links between material infrastructures, resource sharing, and community structures, and assesses how sustainability depends on the interplay of conflict, solidarity, and collective maintenance.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anna Maria Stagno, Ylenia Paciotti, Giulia Bizzarri, José Maria Martín Civantos, José Abellán Santisteban https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Ancient Systems for Hydric Management and Social Implications
Copyright (c) 2025 Daniela Pittaluga https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Interconnected Challenges and Shared Futures in the Euro-Mediterranean Region
Copyright (c) 2025 Jaka Vadnjal, Jihene Nouairi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Does Informality Deter Investment? An Empirical Analysis of FDI and the Informal Economy in EU and Candidate Countries
This study examines the relationship between the size of the informal economy and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in EU member states and EU candidate countries in the Western Balkans, as part of the wider Mediterranean region. The analysis' central hypothesis is that informality deters FDI, owing to factors ranging from institutional quality to unfair competition. Using data for the period 1996–2020 and employing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Fixed Effects (FE) estimations, our results indicate that a larger informal economy significantly reduces FDI inflows and outflows only in non-EU countries, with no statistically significant relationship found for EU member states. This finding persists even after controlling for institutional quality, suggesting that the documented impact of the informal economy on FDI is not mainly through institutional weakness but rather through other underlying market distortions that prevail in highly informal markets. These insights underline the need for future research to examine more closely how informality affects market conditions and investment behaviour.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bernard Dosti, Arlind Maze https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
International Dimension of Critical Infrastructure Resilience: Challenges of the Mediterranean Security Environment
The resilience of critical infrastructure (CI) has emerged as a defining challenge of the 21st century, accompanied by a growing recognition of its international and cross-border dimensions. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Mediterranean region, a region characterised by its strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, its climatic vulnerability, and its socio-political diversity. This article explores the international dimension of CI resilience with a particular focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by the Mediterranean basin. The Mediterranean faces a convergence of threats that test the robustness and adaptability of infrastructures upon which societies depend. Climate-related hazards such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flooding increasingly disrupt energy, water, and transport systems. At the same time, cyber-physical threats associated with the digitalisation of energy grids, telecommunications networks, and maritime transport systems expose the region to sophisticated cyberattacks and cascading failures. These risks are further compounded by geopolitical instability, with conflicts, irregular migration flows, and the security of energy transit routes placing significant strain in national systems and cross-border cooperation. Drawing on European policy frameworks such as the CER Directive, the NIS2 Directive, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and the EU Strategy for Critical Infrastructure Resilience – as well as preparatory steps undertaken within the EU project ENDURANCE – this article argues that resilience in the Mediterranean requires both strategic integration and operational pragmatism. The analysis highlights the inadequacy of siloed, state-centric approaches and emphasises the need for cross-sectoral, cross-border, and community-level engagement. Case studies focusing on energy interconnectors, port infrastructures, and urban coastal resilience illustrate the interconnected vulnerabilities, as well as the opportunities for shared resilience building. The article concludes that enhancing CI resilience in the Mediterranean is not only a regional imperative but also a cornerstone of Europe's broader security and stability. It calls for harmonised strategies, stronger public-private partnerships, and innovative tools such as Digital Twins and regional stress-testing exercises, all embedded within a long-term vision of international cooperation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Denis Čaleta https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Scan to GIS Methodologies for the Multi-Scalar Representation of Water Landscapes
This paper outlines a research methodology for the digital representation of amphibious landscapes in the Po Valley. The management of water resources has accompanied the history of settlement systems in northern Italy since the earliest times. Canalisation and hydraulic elements have transformed the appearance of the territory, qualifying the image and identity of different cultures. In the Ticino region, the system of irrigation infrastructure originated with Roman plain drainage and reached a more organic systemisation through the studies of Leonardo da Vinci. This cultural dimension plays a central role in defining the identity of the territory, characterised by a rich natural environment and a substantial hydraulic heritage which, abandoned following industrialisation, now requires recovery and safeguarding. To represent this complexity, the drawer must transform the complexity of relationships into an ordered network of signs. For this reason, the research proposes a step-by-step methodology, progressing from integrated survey to mesh-nurbs modelling, followed by an expeditious census, and culminating in a 3D GIS environment. This multiscalar model constitutes a unique dynamic organism in which geometries are associated with specific datasets. Through the use of 3D GIS, the research aims to facilitate knowledge of the landscape and support its management by making explicit the relationships between elements and by defining new strategies to raise awareness of the water heritage.
Copyright (c) 2025 Silvia La Placa, Sandro Parrinello https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Enhancing Intercultural Competence through Collaborative OnlineInternational Learning: A Case Studyfrom Albania and Lithuania
This paper contains a case study of the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana (FEUT) and Kauno Kolegija's use of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in Lithuania. The program lasted five weeks in late 2024. Students collaborated across borders on virtual platforms and undertook assignments that were integrated into both institutions' curricula. The study used a mixed-methods approach involving pre- and post-surveys and qualitative introspection. It examines the effects of COIL on students' intercultural skills, online collaboration, and teamwork in international groups. The results show that COIL enhances students' sensitivity to cultural differences, increases their confidence when collaborating with peers from other countries, and improves online communication and problem-solving skills. The research also highlights the potential of COIL to offer inclusive and sustainable alternatives to classical physical mobility. By presenting an applied model of virtual collaboration, this study contributes to the existing literature on the internationalization of higher education through online teaching modalities.
Collaborative online international learning (COIL)
Copyright (c) 2025 Anisa Kume, Fatma Jaupi, Saulius Tvirbutas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Differentiated Integration and the Common Security and Defence Policy: Two Case Studies – MED7/MED9 and the Visegrad Four
The aim of this paper is to analyse the various forms of differentiated integration and to map the geopolitical intentions of two clearly identified groups of European Union Member States: those in Southern Europe (MED7 and MED9) and those in Central and Eastern Europe (the Visegrad Group), within the framework of permanent structured cooperation (PESCO). In the literature, differentiated integration is described in several ways. Terms such as core Europe, Europe à la carte, two-speed Europe or multi-speed Europe, enhanced cooperation, and variable geometry integration are commonly used. Although these terms are often treated as synonyms, these expressions refer to distinct forms of differentiated integration. This study focuses on two case studies of regional groupings within the EU. The central research question is how PESCO can facilitate differentiated integration in these subregional forms of cooperation and what types of differentiated integration emerge as a result. This paper does not assess the effectiveness of PESCO itself but instead examines statistical data concerning membership and leadership roles held by Member States. The research is based on official statements and publications relating to Member State collaboration, EU documents, and data published on the official PESCO website.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anna Molnár, Anna Urbanovics https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Sustainability, Development,and Culture in the Mediterranean and Beyond
Copyright (c) 2025 Jaka Vadnjal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Economic Integration of Mediterranean States
Times of economic crisis are an opportunity for greater integration of the markets of the Mediterranean countries. The chosen method makes it possible to confirm this hypothesis. Unfortunately, this cannot be realized without greater, comprehensive institutional connectivity within he economic space. The greatest role in this can be played by the major members of the Mediterranean basin, which are very important to global trade and through which the effects of major crises are also transmitted most significantly to the economic space of the Mediterranean basin.
Copyright (c) 2025 Janez Fabijan, Jaka Vadnjal, Draško Veselinovič https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Flood Hazard Assessment and Risk Management in Dar Belamri: A Hydrological and Hydraulic Approach for Effective Urban Development and Slum Reduction
Dar Belamri is considered one of the emerging centers in the Sidi Slimane region, but it suffers from the spread of slums in the center, especially in the Ouled Abdel Sadek area, part of which is located on the edge of a cliff near scattered quarries, in addition to the Fajr area, which is located near the Beht River. What distinguishes these areas is that they are located in a natural flood zone, which requires proactive management of these risks by local planners and decision-makers. This study provides a flood risk assessment tool that is adapted to the conditions of these specific areas. The methodology combines flood frequency and flood impacts using a hydrological and hydraulic approach. This approach uses a hydrological model to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution of hydraulic properties (such as flow rate, velocity, water height, and inundated areas) during design flood events, while assessing the effects of hydraulic developments on flow dynamics. The study focuses on two main watercourses, Wadi Beht and Wadi Oum El Zein. Comprehensive topographic surveys provided detailed morphological data, allowing for accurate hydraulic simulation of floods at different return periods. This helped accurately identify flood zones and contributed decisively to the delineation of areas suitable for urbanization and construction, thus producing a flood risk map. It is a crucial tool for targeted flood risk management and mitigation efforts, ultimately supporting the development of a final urban suitability map and, through it, identifying appropriate solutions for informal housing and avoiding various risks in the center of Dar Belamri, with the potential for application across other high-risk areas.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rachid Dahmani, Fatehi Altalqi, Amine Belmzoukia , Adil Echchelh , Said Chakiri , Mohammed Benammi , Abderrahmane Aït Fora https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Organizational Effectiveness in Emerging Markets: Insights from Macedonian SMEs
Although organizational effectiveness has been extensively studied in~developed countries, there is a lack of empirical data from emerging economies -- particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Previous research has often focused on individual determinants (such stress or turnover) without integrating objective financial indicators with subjective HR-related concerns. This study addresses that gap by examining key determinants of organizational effectiveness in Macedonian SMEs, including absenteeism, stress, job satisfaction, turnover, and financial performance metrics such as return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). The study is grounded in social exchange theory (Organ 1977) and organizational effectiveness frameworks (Quinn and Rohrbaugh 1983; Zammuto 1984), which illustrate how objective financial indicators and subjective HR-related factors interact to influence SME effectiveness in emerging markets. The findings are based on survey data collected from 408 respondents across 30 Macedonian SMEs. A survey methodology was chosen for its ability to systematically gather employee perceptions and experiences from a representative sample of SMEs. The constructs were operationalized using established measures (e.g. COPSOQ II, ASQ, MOAQ-JSS), allowing for reliable assessment of psychosocial and organizational variables. The findings indicate that, compared to employees, leaders report significantly higher levels of both stress and job satisfaction. Although there are no gender differences in job satisfaction or intentions to leave, women report higher levels of workplace stress than men. Age-based evaluations show that employees aged 55 and older have higher absenteeism rates than those in the mid-career group, while younger employees report significantly higher intentions to leave. The lack of SME reporting has led to inconsistent financial metrics, highlighting the need for standardized transparency procedures in emerging economies. The study underscores the need for targeted HR strategies to enhance job satisfaction, reduce turnover, and foster a positive work environment. To provide a~more comprehensive view of organizational success in emerging markets, future research should place greater emphasis on incorporating financial performance metrics.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ivona Mileva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Knowledge Management Index For Better Climate Change Management: A Case Study in the Egyptian Petroleum Sector
Climate change presents significant challenges to organizations, requiring adaptation and mitigation strategies grounded in climate-related knowledge and technological innovation. The petroleum sector faces increasing regulatory and environmental pressures. In response, this study introduces the Climate Change Knowledge Management Index (CKI), a novel metric designed to assess climate knowledge preparedness by integrating energy, environmental, and knowledge management systems. The CKI provides a standardized framework for evaluating how petroleum organizations manage, formalize, and apply climate-relevant knowledge in strategic decision-making. The index was applied to two Egyptian petroleum companies with differing knowledge management approaches, revealing notable differences in climate resilience. The company with formal knowledge management practices scored 0.283, demonstrating stronger integration, lower emissions, and more informed climate decisions. In contrast, the comparison company scored 0.133. Both scores were benchmarked against an optimal value of 0.606. These findings highlight the role of structured knowledge management in strengthening climate resilience and supporting strategic choices across high-emission sectors. The CKI equips decision-makers with a practical tool to evaluate and improve knowledge governance, particularly in developing economies. Its diagnostic capacity offers valuable guidance for sectors transitioning toward sustainable operations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Aly Ahmed Aly, Mohamed Shaltout, Mohamed Salaheldin, Ahmed Elshazly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
How Do Serbian Gymnastics Coaches Make Decisions?
Different authors argue that coaching is fundamentally a decision-making (hereinafter: DM) process, while coaches’ DM has been identified as a key element of a coach’s practice. In the present study, we examined the DM behavior of Serbian gymnastics coaches. The sample consisted of 53 coaches (age: 40.96±13.04 years). Manifested DM behavior was measured during the national coaching seminar using the General DM Style Inventory, which includes five DM styles defined as rational, intuitive, dependent, spontaneous and avoidant DM. Factor analyses were performed to reveal the DM styles’ structure. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to identify the association between DM styles, demographic and professional characteristics, and ANOVA was used to detect differences between more experienced and less experienced coaches. The results showed that coaches use a combination of all five DM styles when making decisions, but mostly use rational and dependent DM styles. Based on the discovered average structure of the DM styles, we can conclude that Serbian gymnastics coaches are mostly rational decision-makers who increase their rationality by seeking advice, opinions, and knowledge from colleagues when making decisions. Furthermore, more experienced coaches can make decisions more independently and also faster when the situation is urgent or time-limited.
Copyright (c) 2025 Edvard Kolar, Saša Velićković, Rado Pišot, Marijo Možnik, Matej Tušak https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Musicians, as an Important Building Block of Mediterranean Rural Tourism
This paper looks into the significant role of musicians in improving rural tourism offerings. Rural tourism is one of the main pillars of economic development and cultural preservation as it is a tool that provides jobs, improves the local quality of life, and supports the renovation of historic sites. Through their creativity, musicians safeguard and spread intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional music and dance, which positively influences the financial performance of rural tourism entrepreneurs. Music festivals and events in the countryside are also a great source of rural tourism. They bring in substantial revenue and help form a favourable image of the destination. The events in less-favoured areas have attracted visitors by diversifying tourism offerings and encouraging regional development. Despite this, their success is contingent upon good planning and proper organisation. The study investigates the influences of factors such as state support, proactivity, job satisfaction, luck, and personality traits on the success and development of musicians in Mediterranean countries, specifically in Slovenia and Montenegro. It has been revealed that including cultural resources in tourism strategies makes rural areas more attractive and competitive. Musicians thus play a crucial role in rural tourism by offering unique cultural experiences that lead to the sustainable development of rural areas.
Copyright (c) 2025 Aleksandra Govedarica, Nataša Kraljević, Darko Lacmanović, Urša Lamut, Predrag Ljubotina, Andrej Raspor, Bojan Rojko, Ajda Srdić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Palermo, Historic Center between Water and Greenery: A Possible Future?
Palermo is undergoing a prolonged period of transformation. Beginning with the redevelopment of its historic center more than twenty years ago, citizens have gradually reclaimed the city’s historic spaces and public areas. This process has also encouraged the renewal of green spaces, with an – hopefully – increasingly sustainable approach. At the same time, the growth of tourism has contributed to changes in settlement patterns and urban dynamics.Moreover, the recent effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted, worldwide, the importance of proper water resource management of water resources and the presence of green areas within inhabited centers, particularly historic gardens of great monumental and naturalistic value, of which Palermo is especially rich. These concerns intersect and reinforce one another as the specter of drought looms, with consequences for both residents and for the conservation of gardens and monumental parks. Within the historic city of Palermo, several episodes demonstrate the need to rethink the management of green spaces and water resources, starting from virtuous examples such as the Botanical Garden and initiatives aimed at the redevelopment of the Oreto river and its long-forgotten ecosystem, to the broader issue of redeveloping the city’s southern Coast, including the so-called Cala, the ancient port of Palermo with the remains of Castellammare. This process requires a necessary dialogue – although not always pursued or fully considered – with preexisting structures and with the sea. This study argues that Palermo must develop shared policies, grounded in dialogue with its historical contexts, the better address the demands of environmental sustainability. Such policies will also influence restoration strategies for monumental heritage, contributing to an overall improvement in the quality of life in the historic city.
Copyright (c) 2025 Carmen Genovese https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
The Gualchiere di Remole in Bagno a Ripoli (Firenze)
The Gualchiere di Remole represent a rare example of a late medieval industrial mill still standing in Italy. Built in 1327 by the Albizzi family, these structures were dedicated to the fulling of wool, a crucial process in Florentine textile manufacturing. Despite their historical and architectural significance, the Gualchiere are currently in an advanced state of decay. Declared a site of historical and artistic interest in 2013, the complex has undergone various interventions and transformations over the centuries but has never been subject to a structured restoration. Previous studies have focused on analyzing the mechanics of the mills and documenting the architectural conditions of the buildings. The research project began in 2009 with 3D laser scanner surveys to document the structure and understand the operation of the hydraulic fulling stocks. This initial phase utilized TLS instruments capable of producing a sufficiently complete and detailed point cloud, allowing for the mapping of both the interior and exterior and for assessing the state of conservation and functionality of the site. In 2024, a new photogrammetric survey using drones and high-resolution cameras updated the data on the condition of the mill and its hydrographic context. The combination of data collected in 2009 and 2024 enabled a direct comparison to evaluate the progression of degradation. This research provides a significant contribution to the knowledge and conservation of the Gualchiere di Remole, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating 3D digital surveying techniques with modern digital photogrammetry (SfM) technologies. The comparison between laser scanning and photogrammetric surveys has produced a detailed picture of the mill’s condition and its critical issues. The results may support future restoration and enhancement efforts, promoting the potential museumization and reuse of the complex for cultural and public purposes. The applied methodology has proven to be valuable for this type of industrial heritage, offering a replicable model for the preservation of medieval industrial sites.
Copyright (c) 2025 Giovanni Pancani, Matteo Bigongiari, Lorenzo Matteoli, Luca Chiavacci https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Abstracts in French, Slovene, and Arabic
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Insights into Socioeconomic and Political Transformations in the Euro-Mediterranean Region