Rediscovery of a Sicilian coastal defensive complex: historical evolution and morphological analysis of the Brolo tower-castle (ME)

The research presented here, conducted by the Lab6R of the Department of Engineering at UNIME, focuses on the historic center of Brolo and, in particular, on its tower-castle. The goal is to expand knowledge of the coastal defensive system on the Tyrrhenian side of the province of Messina. The analysis started with numerous historical sources that helped define the architectural and functional evolution of the structure. Early sources, dating back to the second half of the 1500s with drawings by Tiburzio Spannocchi and Camillo Camilliani, show the Brolo castle during the Spanish domination. These drawings highlight that the tower did not stand alone but was part of a more articulated defensive complex. Stratigraphic analysis of the walls confirms that the tower was integrated into a complex of buildings to form the castle, an image very different from the current one where the tower appears as an isolated monument among lower constructions. The case study of the Brolo tower-castle is part of the redesign of the defensive system along the Sicilian coast, implemented by the Spanish government to counter Saracen fleets. In parallel with the historical investigation, in-depth material and structural analyses were conducted. The use of advanced survey methodologies such as 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry with UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) made it possible to acquire a complete database of morphological information and to obtain a three-dimensional reconstruction of the complex. The survey proved to be a powerful tool for documenting the current state and for a rapid structural analysis, which helped define the different construction techniques of the tower and the curtain wall that enclosed the fortified area.