Topics

The spiritual legacy of St. Francis of Assisi characterises European culture and survives through his rules, spiritual texts, and mendicant orders. Despite this, many architectural complexes have lost their original function and values. The importance of mendicant friars in transforming urban and rural landscapes has been recently recognised. The conference focuses on studying the Franciscan Observance network to define an “atlas” of documentation and knowledge for the conservation, protection, and promotion of this scattered Cultural Heritage. These buildings' remote location and connection with the surrounding landscape and territory indicate peripheral and abandoned areas and contribute to defining a map of criticalities. 

 

The call aims at traditional and innovative techniques to develop risk assessment methodologies, protocols, and tools for managing and enhancing Cultural Heritage. The poor conditions of some buildings due to hydrogeological instability, abandonment, or earthquakes require the definition of strategies for the conservation, protection and management of this vulnerable heritage. Furthermore, the attention is focused on developing new strategies for layered experiences through Information and Communication Technologies and innovative methods to reuse, through interaction, the Cultural Heritage. 

 

The aspected contributions will aim to improve awareness of European citizenship based on sharing common values and achievements. They will promote an understanding of Europe’s history based on its physical, intangible, and natural heritage. It is noted that the identification of a common European Cultural Heritage may be achieved via cultural routes tracing the history of people, migrations, and the spread of the major European currents of civilisation in philosophy, religion, culture, arts, science, and technology and trade.