Re-use of a medieval tower between conservation and transformation

The progressive change of functional, social and economic needs often determines the total abandon of artefacts belonging to the historical architectural heritage. Once the reasons which led to their realization have ceased and/or the performances required by the current users have changed, these buildings suffer an increasing damage and in many cases are destined, over time, to be irretrievably lost. If we exclude the musealisation/"hibernation" of such heritage, undesirable solution, their protection can be pursued only by accepting the challenge of change and identifying suitable intervention strategies that allow to combine conservative demands with the functional and performance needs manifested by potential users. This contribution intends to focus the attention on the restoration carried out on a medieval tower forming part of the original city walls that surrounded the settlement of Cisano sul Neva (SV). The research aimed at analysing the intervention methodology related both to the distribution of the spaces and the preservation of the building identity, in particular with reference to the aspect of the surfaces and to the use of compatible materials.