Digital dialogues between Military Architecture Treatises. The case of “Le Fortificationi...” by Bonaiuto Lorini and “La Fortificatione guardia difesa et espugnatione delle fortezze...” by Francesco Tensini

The paper presents the results of an experimentation developed within the activities of the PRIN2022 INFORTREAT research project, aimed at the production of digital information systems to collect, translate and transfer the knowledge about construction of bastioned fortifications in Early Modern treatises, in order to create an original knowledge tool in the field of conservation of the fortified heritage. The study primarily focuses on the “La fortificatione guardia difesa et espugnatione delle fortezze” by Francesco Tensini (first edition 1624), since it is recognized as an important milestone in the evolution of fortification models. The treatise is rich with references to other authors. Among them, Tensini frequently recalls one author without explicitly mentioning his name. The analysis of a wide range of treatises from the mid-16th century, carried out for the INFORTREAT research objectives, considering the state of the art on the subject, allows us to state with some confidence that Tensini refers to the “Le Fortificationi..” by Bonaiuto Lorini (first edidtion 1597). This allowed us to set up a comparison between the treatises through critical redrawing and digital modeling of the fortification systems proposed by both authors. To this end, a workflow based on the integration of VPL and BIM is tested.