Fortified Heritage of Comino Valley (Latium, Italy)

The cultural landscape of the Comino Valley includes historical routes, towers and fortifications, creating a unique ensemble of great complexity and charm. Situated along once-strategic roadways, between Rome and Naples, it was a valley highly contested by many Landlords who, during the encastellation period, used its heights for the control of the territory by creating fortified centres. From an historical-territorial analysis of the geographical area, with a mapping of the fortifications, the study proceeds to the examination of these architectures through a chronological and typological classification. The reconnaissance of defensive architectures is an integral part of a process aimed at the enhancement of the monument and the revitalization of the urban context. Three categories are recognized: castles that are still easily identifiable, castles incorporated into the urban fabric of historic centres, and towers, symbolic and representative elements. Through the analysis of the state of conservation and use, those that require conservation interventions and those that have already received such attention are taken into consideration. Aim of this contribution is to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and redeveloping these medieval testimonies, so that their beauty can continue to be fully appreciated. The recovery action can promote individual cultural elements but also organize coherent itineraries among the various thematic components of the territory. Particularly, by interpreting the fortified landscape in relation to the built environment and the surrounding area, conservation and enhancement can be united. This approach can have a positive cascading effect, contributing also to the recovery and regeneration of small historical centres of the area.