La Cappella di S. Agata a Pisa. Dalle carte di Piero Sanpaolesi al cantiere di restauro

The recent restoration work on the small chapel of S. Agata in Pisa, which was completed in early 2022, was preceded by a preparatory cognitive analysis based on a knowledge project developed by an integrated research group of the Department of Architecture of the University of Florence. This project involved researchers from different disciplines, who carried out a historical documentary study, an architectural geometric survey, an analysis of the materials and their state of conservation, the physical-chemical characterization of the materials, and the survey and analysis of static instabilities. The Chapel of S. Agata was part of the monastic complex attached to the Church of S. Paolo a Ripa d’Arno. It was located in the center of the abbey on the axis with the apse of the church of S. Paolo. There is no certain information on either the date of construction or the identity of the builder of this architecture – made of brick, with an octagonal plan and covered by a spire –, the first attestation dates back to a document from 1132. Documentary research, conducted in various archive funds, succeeded in reconstructing the main restoration works carried out on the building between the end of the 19th century and the third quarter of the 20th century. From the studies conducted, it appears that starting with the clearing of the rubble of the cloister in the immediate post-war period, it was not until the mid-1960s that the chapel of S. Agata underwent restoration works that brought to light a painted wall decoration inside the building, with eight angel heads on top of the roof. From the synthesis of the various studies and analyses conducted by the research group, guidelines were given to the municipal administration so that compatible products and materials would be used in future restoration work on the artifact.