Arco Cliff Stabilization: Safety Funding and Conservation Measures
The cliff of the castle, a symbol of Arco, is crumbling. The long-standing situation has significantly worsened. To contain minor collapses and prevent the risk of large falling rocks, immediate intervention is necessary. A safety plan targeting the most dangerous points has already been prepared by the municipality.
Safety interventions and funding
If the Province, as promised, will promptly finance part of the over four billion lire needed, it will be possible to start the project as early as this coming autumn.
“One thing is certain,” comments the worried assessor Stefano Bresciani, “as confirmed by the recent geological and geomechanical study, after an excessive wait it would be irresponsible to delay further. The technicians have identified a maximum level of precariousness, classified as ‘grade one’, in technical terms.”
In a recent meeting with ing. Plotegheri, from the public disaster prevention service, I highlighted the progressive degradation of the Arco cliff and presented the remediation plan. The official acknowledged the priority of the intervention, confirming an initial funding of around two billion lire; the remaining costs will be covered in the 2001 budget.
From Trento, 80% of the costs will be reimbursed, including over one hundred million lire for the geological and geomechanical study. The first installment of the contribution will be available by autumn.
Consolidation and protection measures
This is not for a containment intervention: the cliff, on which the ruins of the Counts of Arco castle stand, is protected by the Provincial Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. “Traditional barriers supported by iron beams and steel containment nets had to be abandoned,” clarifies Bresciani, “replaced with less invasive yet equally effective systems.”
At the base of the rock above Prabi, a large earthen embankment will be constructed to retain the rocks, including those of enormous size, which, hopefully, could detach even from significant heights without causing harm.
For the record, about half a century ago, a stone falling from the rocks beneath the castle actually caused a fatality: an elderly person working in his vegetable garden, close to the cliff. Nearby house roofs became riddled with rain of rock fragments of various sizes. For some families, relocation was unavoidable.
Interventions on the Costa and trail protection
Different techniques will be used for the “Costa”, largely occupied by olive groves, which overlooks the historic center. Here, the few rocky outcroppings emerging from the ground are at risk and are causing the dry terraces to collapse.
The project plans, where possible, the consolidation and largely the reconstruction of the supporting walls.
The “Costa” is crossed by pedestrian paths reaching the top of the castle. “To safeguard the safety of visitors,” concludes Stefano Bresciani, “a long retaining wall will also be built uphill of these paths.”
In a few years, the Arco cliff will no longer lose pieces and will return to its former glory.