The Lerici effect

From its inception as a fortress and place of torture to becoming a world known symbol of hospitality, the San Giorgio Castle of Lerici represents a landmark in the landscape we now call the Gulf of Poets - of La Spezia, in the Italian region of Liguria. Its monumental and consciously asymmetrical forms have generated authenticity and picturesque beauty, making it an icon on the world stage. As depicted in paintings and drawings of the past centuries, artists and admirers of the manor continue to depict the Castle deeply in both subjective and collective imagination. Some write about it, some paint it, in abstract or faithful forms. Some study it, some listen to it. Thanks to my work experience as a custodian at the Castle of Lerici, which allowed me to study its critical issues and design potential, in recent years I have been able to promote cultural and architectural projects for its enhancement and valorisation both for the local and the global audiences. From the museum content of the Castle itself – inaugurated in March of 2024 together with the Municipality of Lerici – to the possibilities of restoration and the removal of architectural barriers, making it accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, the themes that revolve around the Castle are multiple and complex. Just as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by Architect Frank Gehry, sparked both a local and global cultural and economic renaissance known as the Bilbao Effect, one could define a similar Lerici Effect for the Castle of Lerici. This phenomenon highlights how the Castle's unique architectural and historical significance can drive cultural tourism, stimulate local economy, and foster a renewed sense of community pride. The Lerici Effect, which begun in the XII century when the Castle was built, emphasizes the transformative power of well-preserved and promoted heritage sites in creating a lasting impact on their surroundings.