The fortress of Montecchio Emilia between past and future. A restoration project to enhance the historic significance and the community identity.

The long-time discussed issue of the reopening of the ancient moat of the fortress of Mon-tecchio Emilia, a small town in Northen Italy, could be an evocative crowning achievement for the rehabilitation path of the historic architectural complex. The project allows to improve the comprehension of the historic significance of the fortress and to create green spaces more accessible and appropriate to frame the historic architecture, facing many design issues: the discovery of the retaining wall and of the scarp wall that forms the basis of the fortress; the restoration of the drawbridge pylon; the arrangement of the large area occupied by the ancient moat; the need to organize green spaces, parking and routes accessible to everybody; the relation with the “urban fabric”, which has over time incorporated the fortress within a densely built area. The aim is to underline the role of the fortress as a landmark for social life and community activities.