castello di drena

The partial collapse of the fortification around the castle of Drena, adjacent to Arco, Italy, has further weakened the crumbling structure. Stabilizing it is the most pressing task. But in addition to public safety, economic and cultural arguments arise.

Italy brims over with castles. The economic burden of their maintenance falls on the public. Revenues obtained from annual visitors covers a small fraction maintenance costs. This is particularly true for the castello di Drena, and now the collapse of the wall has added to the dilemma. In addition to the work required to restore safety, the options range from doing nothing and declaring the castle unsafe, to a complete restoration that would last an eternity, cost a fortune, and fail to increase the attraction or its revenue. So what other options are there?

The past and the present are not separate: we are the present and part of the past at once. So could we find the courage to adapt even ancient buildings to current functions, to invigorate them and thus truly love them? By themselves, well-preserved ancient buildings are no more than testimonials of the past. But is that enough? Couldn't they also be allowed to fulfill a function beyond just being living memories? Be visited, inhabited even if possible? Couldn't they be part of contemporary life and made attractive to a greater number of visitors and users so they can experience the change of times by being exposed to them and using them, rather than just through academic interest in them?

Today the Castello di Drena is noticed in passing by thousands of cyclists and hikers enjoying the wonderful surroundings. The structure is clearly visible from afar in an oft-visited valley. Neither the reopening of the museum nor a genuine restoration would realize the enormous potential of the place and building, but a fresh use of the building could.

We propose to:

1. stabilize the ruins: The ancients only had stones and lime mortar. We have technologies to make structures last much longer. Let's use them!

2. leave the new breach in the wall as it occurred: For more than a thousand years, the castle has continued to crumble. The recent collapse represents only a small part of its past substance.

3. find fresh use that exploits its position: concerts, congresses, weddings, banquets, or theatrical presentations

Several degrees of intervention are possible. For example, an uninsulated roof would make the building useful for outdoor activities. The roof could be added to mandated wall supports. A structure with heating, ventilation and air conditioning would greatly increase construction and maintenance costs, but also the utility of the building.

Let the Castello di Drena become adapted to serve us, change with us, grow old with us. Historical buildings deserve to be companions in the process called of life rather than stagnant museum pieces.