Architetture fortificate in Capitanata. La fortezza di Lucera fra conservazione e risignificazione

The study of the Lucera fortress is an opportunity to re ect on the fate of historical forti ed struc- tures, often threatened by neglect or plagued by demolition, replacement and transformations of various natures. A monument in the full meaning of the term with a strong symbolic meaning, the fortress has sparked the interest of Italian and foreign scholars since the 18th century with the Grand Tour travellers, to the point of attracting the attention of authoritative archaeologists, historians and architects from the early 20th century to the present day. In spite of all the e ort and energy expended, the situation is far from reassuring due to the general precarious state of its preservation. Alarmingly, the cracks were aggravated by a dangerous landslide on the southern slope. The sense of disorientation and the e ect of estrangement that the large, des- olate expanse within the wall walk arouses is problematic. The placement of archaeological evidence that is incomprehensible to most visitors is controversial, the relationship with the city is non-existent, and any relationship with the landscape is precluded. Some di cult questions must be answered. How can we return the lost stability of the overhanging wall, ensure the continuity of the patrol path, now interrupted in that section, and restore the com- promised image? How do we deal with the problematic issue of access to the Torre della Leonessa, which has been, among other things, spoiled by a slab of brick roo ng placed at a height which is con- tradicted by the circle of the surviving corbels on which the original horizontal structure must have rested? How do we resolve the arrangement of the huge expanse within the wall walk? How can we rescue the fortress from neglect an try to assign it the role of catalyst and attractor on an urban and territorial scale? These are issues which need answers that are all the more convincing when they are based on knowledge, the only thing capable of ensuring high project quality.