Le lave. Gli usi ornamentali nell'architettura storica in Sicilia

Volcanic activity contributed over millennia to shape extended areas in Sicily and neighbouring islands, creating at the same time unlimited depositories of natural stone used from ancient times for buildings, handiworks, objects and tools. Catania and Etna region, but also the island of Lipari, still hold the most significant evidences of the use of volcanic rocks and their products. However, the architectural heritage testify a more widespread use in the search of ornamental effects in Sicily between medieval and early modern age.Leaving rural contexts, road paving and construction issues, this contribution analyzes themes, times and ways of the employment of volcanic rocks in Sicily in order to satisfy aesthetic instances, between XII and XX century.The main and most varied range of applications focuses on the possibility offered by the lithotype to create polychrome effects, by the contrast with lighter-coloured materials and surfaces, with different procedures and formal solutions. Other interesting fields of application are: the design of architectural frameworks in contrast with light-coloured plasters; sculptural elements; covering of bases, pedestals and stairs. Between XVIII and XIX century finally took place a process of assimilation of volcanic rocks to the polishable stones, specially a variety called basaltic breccia in coating altars and luxury furniture.Unlike other lithotypes, that of lava stone and its architectural uses in Sicily is a still ongoing story, frequently charged with new meanings of identity