Churches and cultural heritage: a fragile heritage to be secured – what ISAAC research conducted by BIG tells us
In Italy, religious cultural heritage represents one of the most extensive, symbolic and vulnerable components of the national built environment. Bell towers, convents, shrines, cathedrals and minor churches, often located in areas of high seismicity, guard centuries of history and art, but are still among the least structurally protected buildings.
The research conducted by ISAAC and BIG – Business Intelligence Group shows that despite the presence of dedicated funds, earthquake-resistant interventions are still sporadic, uneven and largely reactive.
The heritage is vast, but not systematically monitored
According to the mapping conducted as part of the research:
- On average, the parishes surveyed operate between 3 and 6 buildings (churches, oratories, canonical houses), often listed and with historic-artistic value.
- In mountainous or rural dioceses, facilities are often isolated, difficult to reach, and lack regular structural monitoring.
- The perception of seismic risk is underestimated in many cases, even in territories classified as zone 1 or 2.
The result is that safety interventions mostly occur following calamitous events, such as the 1997 or 2016 earthquakes, rather than on a preventive basis.
Funds exist, but they are not enough (and they don’t always arrive)
There are some dedicated funding channels in the religious and cultural sector:
- 8×1000 fund earmarked for the Catholic Church, which finances structural restorations and consolidations
- CEI (Italian Episcopal Conference) grants for church buildings of special historical value, often related to post-emergency situations.
- Extraordinary ministerial funds in case of damage from natural disasters (earthquakes, floods).
- Contributions from bank foundations or local governments, albeit sporadic and with limited resources.
However, there is no fixed budget forecast for earthquake prevention, and most interventions are financed on a project basis, only after a survey or report. Parishes must advance part of the cost, often using local fundraisers or bank loans.
Toward beauty-compatible security
Despite the limitations, research also shows a growing interest in innovative and non-invasive solutions. Modern technologies, such as those proposed by ISAAC, allow effective interventions without compromising the aesthetic or liturgical appearance of buildings.
The challenge is to accompany parishes on paths of technical diagnosis, access to funds and smart design, valuing the heritage and protecting the communities that live it.
ISAAC alongside Italian heritage
ISAAC provides its technical team to offer free preliminary assessments on religious and historic buildings, proposing solutions compatible with artistic constraints and helping entities and dioceses navigate available funds, design processes and calls for proposals.
ISAAC professionals offer no-obligation, preventive inspections of public, healthcare, religious and manufacturing facilities to identify vulnerabilities and improvement solutions. We provide practical support to help entities and organizations embark on an informed and lasting path to safety, before an emergency arises.
The need for research
“For us at BIG, all research comes from listening to people and deeply understanding the context in which we operate. With our personalized, Atelier-like approach, we transform data into strategic insights, creating value and guiding decisions toward innovative solutions. Every day we invest in the growth of our team and cultivate a constant dialogue with top universities, because we believe that innovation and the continuous search for new solutions is also born from the confrontation with the academic world.”
Team BIG – Business Intelligence Group
“For us at ISAAC, innovating means first and foremost looking closely and interpreting in depth the context in which we operate. Our collaboration with BIG stems from a desire to gain an even more accurate and up-to-date understanding of the seismic industry, its dynamics and emerging needs. This synergy has given us access to strategic information and valuable knowledge that is critical to enhancing the efficiency of our technologies and generating tangible impacts on the buildings and communities we aim to protect. This is a crucial step in guiding our decisions with greater awareness and continuing to design effective solutions aligned with the real challenges of seismic safety.”
Team ISAAC
ISAAC is committed to conscious protection that can transform risk into resilience
