Architettura fortificata e paesaggio: la destinazione museale per la valorizzazione della fortezza di Cortona

The re-use of the fortified structures raises particular issues not only from the point of view of the sustainability of its recovery, but also in relation to an authentic interpretation of its vocations and the possibilities of an active role in the urban context and landscape. An educational experience carried out for the Exhibit Design and Restoration Studio (Master Degree Course in Design for the Built Environment of the University of Naples) has been focused on the design experience on the museum destination and on the exhibition in a fortified architecture, Girifalco’s Fortress in Cortona; this in relation to its specific potential to constitute in itself a new sense element in the museum path as for the fruition of the cultural landscape with which it is in strong dialogue. Expression of several typologies of fortified architectures, the Cortona’s Fortress is the result of the ongoing defensive and offensive needs which have changed during the centuries: its spatial articulation allowed the visual control of the surrounding territory (Val di Chiana), both towards the city and towards the surrounding country and mountains. This particular relationship with the territory and landscape has been assumed as the main factor to be considered for the project hypotheses. The aim was the understanding and valorization of the landscape, therefore to intensify the relationship between museum and territory, coherently with what has been repeatedly stated by the reflection on the role of the museum institutions which have highlighted the role and responsibility of museums tfor the valorization and development of cultural landscapes. The projects developed by the students are based on solutions that are sensitive to pre-existence, emphasizing the historical, physical and aesthetic values of the fortress. The proposals aim to build the stages of an experience within the fortified complex through the understanding of its architecture, the reading of its stratifications and transformations, but also to strengthen and make more expressive the relations with the territory, both in the hypotheses of organization of paths and contents, both proposing participatory and inclusive fruition models and additional functions capable of intensifying the role of the museum as an instrument to enhance the heritage and also to support its responsible role towards a community.