Rome, March 18, 2026
A recent inspection by the Italian Association of Wood Technicians (IAT) has revealed significant structural stress in the oak staircases of several landmark buildings in the city's historic centre, particularly along Via dei Coronari. Speaking on Tuesday, IAT President Marco De Santis stated, 'The wear is accelerating beyond our projections.'
The findings, based on a survey of over fifty pre-1900 residential and commercial properties, point to a convergence of factors. High tourist footfall on routes leading to sites like Piazza Navona places extraordinary daily loads on these architectural features. The timeline remains unclear for a city-wide remediation plan, though municipal authorities acknowledge the issue. When we spoke with Giovanni Rossi, a third-generation master carpenter whose workshop overlooks the Tiber, he noted the specific challenge of matching original hardwoods for repairs. 'Finding European oak with the same grain and density as the 18th-century stock is nearly impossible today,' he explained, wiping sawdust from a half-finished newel post. This scarcity complicates authentic restoration.
According to figures that could not be independently verified from the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), nearly 40% of Rome's older wooden staircases may now require some level of intervention, ranging from simple baluster reinforcement to full stringer replacement. Our correspondents in Rome observed specialised teams using resistograph drills to assess internal decay in a palazzo near the Pantheon, a non-destructive technique becoming standard. The city’s unique microclimate, with its humidity trapped in narrow stone alleys, exacerbates wood rot and insect infestation, problems less common in modern steel-and-concrete constructions. A quiet debate simmers among conservators about whether to preserve original material at all costs or to use modern, stabilized composites for longevity.
The Italian Federation of Builders (ANCE) has called for targeted public funding, arguing that these staircases are not merely functional but integral to Rome's cultural patrimony. Proposals include grants for property owners and a certified roster of artisans skilled in traditional joinery. One official suggested creating a digital ledger documenting the provenance and condition of significant staircases, similar to archives for frescoes. For now, the creak of a tread on a centuries-old staircase remains a sound steeped in history, yet one that may signal an urgent need for care. The aroma of espresso from a nearby bar seemed a stark contrast to the clinical smell of wood preservative at the inspection site.