The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi after the Earthquake of 26 September 1997 / Die Basilika des Heiligen Franziskus von Assisi nach dem Erdbeben vom 26. September 1997

The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi was hit by strong earthquakes in September 1997. Two frescoed vaults collapsed. Other parts of the convent were seriously damaged and cracked. The Tympanum of the left transept was badly damaged and had to be temporarily fixed by a steel frame. Vaults collapsed in two zones of the nave. The vaults which survived remained in a precarious state. Urgent measures were undertaken during the first month. Then the vaults were definitively consolidated. Cracks were filled with a special mortar and the vaults were suspended from the roof with a system of tie bars. All operations followed the same philosophy: (a) to use the most up-to-date techniques and technologies, (b) to respect the historic value, and (c) to obtain adequate.