Hydrogeological risk and cultural heritage: the Trigno bridge case

Hydrogeological risk and cultural heritage: the Trigno bridge case

The partial collapse of the Trigno bridge brought renewed attention to the vulnerability of Italy's territory and infrastructure to extreme weather events. Beyond traffic and logistics, there are important implications for historical, artistic and landscape heritage. recent ISPRA figures outline a broad and cross-cutting picture affecting communities, buildings and cultural assets.

Key figures showing widespread risk

• 69,500 km² of national surface at landslide hazard (23% of the territory), up 15% since 2021.
• Areas of highest hazard (classes P3 and P4) increased from 8.7% to 9.5% of national territory.
• 94.5% of Italian municipalities are exposed to landslide, flood, coastal erosion or avalanche risk (2024 figure).
• 1,303,666 people live in areas of high or very high landslide hazard; 6,818,375 are exposed to flood risk in the medium scenario (P2).
• Of more than 14.5 million recorded buildings, 565,548 fall in areas of high/very high landslide hazard and 1,549,759 in floodable areas in the medium scenario.
• 12,533 cultural assets are located in areas of high or very high landslide hazard.

Why this matters for culture

Landscape and cultural heritage are intertwined with the environment: churches, historic villages, archaeological sites, rural architecture and local traditions often lie in vulnerable contexts. Hydrogeological risk endangers not only material assets but also the identities and cultural practices tied to places. The Trigno bridge case is a warning call to combine conservation with territorial resilience.

Action lines and good practices

• Updated monitoring and mapping: invest in systems that integrate environmental, hydrological and cultural data to assess site vulnerability.
• Preventive maintenance of infrastructure and landscape protection elements to reduce the risk of irreversible damage.
• Nature-based solutions (riverbank restoration, urban green systems, permeable surfaces) to mitigate the impact of intense rainfall.
• Integrated interventions bringing together local authorities, cultural heritage bodies, communities, scientists and cultural enterprises to prioritize high-value sites.
• Communication and local awareness about the value of heritage and available prevention measures.

Protecting cultural heritage in the face of hydrogeological risk requires combining protection, planning and landscape enhancement. The challenge is to turn data and alarms into concrete prevention and stewardship plans that safeguard both citizens and the cultural identity of places.