The project is part of the interventions funded under the programming instruments of the Department of General Administration of the Ministry of Culture for the recovery and enhancement of cultural heritage throughout the national territory.
The monumental complex in question is located between Guasco Hill and Cappuccini Hill in the heart of the historic city, a few dozen meters from the eastern cliffs of the promontory on which Ancona stands, approximately 50 meters above sea level. It is situated in an area rich in potential interrelations with sites and contexts of high historical and cultural value (Cathedral of San Ciriaco – Palazzo degli Anziani – Roman Port). The density of historical and archaeological landmarks in this limited context constitutes an existing cultural park, featuring paths that connect the level of the ancient port with the upper level of the historic urban fabric, leading into the coastal axis of Cardeto.
Initial themes addressed
- Access to the wall-walk – The staircase integrated into the current construction scaffolding must be replaced with a permanent structure that is fit for purpose and coherently designed.
- Massive walls – Structural verification and potential maintenance activities appear necessary. The section extending Northwest toward another property and Northeast toward the sea has homogeneous characteristics and appears recently maintained. The wall located to the Southeast, on the Cardeto Park side, consists vertically of two distinct portions, separated by a section of the wall-walk. The walkway overlooks two tunnels, used in the past as air-raid shelters, one of which suffered a vault collapse with the sinking of the ground above, as can be seen by accessing the rear face of the wall. Furthermore, in its highest portion and limited to one section, the wall shows signs of rotation due to soil pressure.
- Canopy in the cavea – Removal is planned.
- Cavea seating – The Contracting Authority has planned a restoration and conservative maintenance plan to ensure its preservation in the absence of a roof.
- Terrain – A different profiling is required to bring out the archaeological value and hide foreign structures: those related to the former convent, for example, are to be subjected to controlled dismantling.
- Dismantling of existing walkways – The complex staircase descending from the square next to the Church of San Bartolomeo into the cavea is being redesigned, and all paths that do not belong to the new visitor route will be eliminated or reconditioned.
- Balustrades and Railings – Full replacement is planned with others that comply with current regulations.
- Wall-walk – The portion involving the wall on the Cardeto Park side requires a deep revision of the water management system, as well as the opening of a passage to the park to serve as a second access/exit point for the walkway.
