Archeologia, Restauro, Riutilizzazione

Scientific literature in the field of architectural restoration shows deep references to Archaeology, dating from XIX century and the interest for the gothic architecture (beginning from Vitet’s researches on Coucy castle, till the modern Restoration Charters). This linkage is testified, for example, by Viollet-le-Duc, Rustin, Dvorak, Giovannoni and many other authors. Among the numerous aspects of the problem one is particularly important: that of new uses for monuments and archaeological sites. It was s problem for the cultural contest of the past century but it also recalled Alois Riegl’s theoretical interest, at the beginning of the present, and now it is connected, for example, to the post-modern architectural movement and to the utilization of ancient ruins, like Cracalla’s Baths in Rome or the Arena in Verona. But the problem of new uses for ancient monuments belongs, in the same time, to the modern town- planning practice and culture. So, we can remember what Benevolo said on ”Via dei Fori Imperiali”, or Renzo Piano’s ideas for ancient Genoa. In any case, this problem gives us the responsibility of a choice we can not ignore. It is a choice that obliges architets and archaeologists to cooperate, knowing that there will be. in any case, a ”funcional future” for monuments we can not consider as definitely ”dead”. Key-word: Restoration - Architecture - Archaeology - Use and Re-use - Dead monuments - Knowledge - Intervention