The Crypta Neapolitana: a Roman tunnel deserving new life
The Crypta Neapolitana: a Roman tunnel deserving new life
This paper outlines a technical stability assessment for the Crypta Neapolitana, a historic Roman tunnel passing through the Posillipo Hill in Naples. The research emphasizes the importance of functional integrity in heritage preservation, suggesting that a monuments original purpose should inform modern conservation strategies. The work is based a geotechnical analysis of the materials surrounding the 711-m passage, including yellow tuff and a transition pyroclastic layer. Through an examination of the tunnel historical evolution from antiquity to the 20th century, the study tracks structural changes such as lowering the floor level and later backfilling. Ultimately, the work seeks to establish a framework for safely re-opening the ancient corridor by evaluating its static conditions. These findings aim to balance the tunnel's iconic value with practical strategies for material repair and long-term preservation.
Emilio Bilotta; Gianluca Fasano; Alessandro Flora
4th International Symposium on the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites
Underground Monuments and Rock Engineering
https://doi.org/10.53243/tc301-2026-22