Ricomporre i paesaggi = Recompose the landscape

The medieval castles, scattered throughout the region, characterise the landscape due to their positions, usually on high points, and their overall advanced state of decay. These conditions strongly accentuate their ties to nature, recalling Ruskin’s concept of “parasitical sublimity”. In the words of archaeologist and art historian Salvatore Settis, the landscape is «a harmonious map reflecting history and culture, the relationship of man with nature, the stratigraphy of presence and absence, the relationships of strength, the reciprocal shaping of the territory by society and of society by the territory» (note: translated from the original). Since this is a varied and complex topic, it was essential to retrace the many definitions of landscape by figures from different disciplines like Comparatism, Archaeology, Philosophy (of Aesthetics and Science), Neurosciences, and even Art History. This step proved to be particularly useful in grasping the complexity of such systems and a better understanding of the specific features of the one under consideration, to guide design in an informed and appropriate manner. Moreover, methodologically, it was particularly essential when it is easy today to delude ourselves into believing that we know what “landscape” really is and how we should interact with it. But that is not, in fact, the case. As Michael Jakob points out, in our contemporary era, it would be more appropriate to speak of “omni-landscape” because of its centrality to our culture and because it can easily be enjoyed ‘from a distance’ by viewing countless images. However, despite appearances, it is challenging to know what “landscape” – with its physical, natural, perceptive, and emotional components – really means. Based on these ideas and the theoretical knowledge deriving from the multidisciplinary study, the context was analysed in a new light, considering its many distinguishing aspects. With this in mind, the strategies proposed work on three independent yet interconnected levels, all sharing the goal of protecting, preserving and improving the fortified landscape.