A Re-Use Proposal for Citadel of Mondovi

According to a report and survey published in July 2019, named as ‘Regenerare spazi dismessi’ , translated in English language as Regenerate Abandoned Spaces’ by Fondazione CRC (Casa di Risparmio di Cuneo Foundation), there are 449 abandoned buildings were surveyed in 126 municipalities out of 250 in the province of Cuneo. It is reported that the highest number of abandoned buildings are located in Mondovi i.e. 32. While 2nd in the list is the municipality of Cuneo which has 25 disposed assets. It is interesting to note that the majority of the assets were intended for military use. The reason being their greater role in the past for border management and larger centers. Upon categorizing these disposed assets by types, 06 basic categories were formed. First in the list which has greatest number of assets (25) belonged to services (like schools). While second was category of military buildings which has 23 assets. Remember that, in the province of Cuneo, the number is even higher that the category of ‘former industrial areas’, which has conventionally being the subject of study. Such an asset fell into dis-use is the Citadel of Mondovi in Piazza Mondovi. Referred as ‘Citadel of Mondovi’, the place had previously a church and later a cathedral and a monastery. Then converted into a citadel in 16th century during the reign of Emanualle Filiberto. The Citadel of Mondovi may/may not be in the list the prominent heritage assets unlike other significant heritage assets located in the province of Cuneo, but it can nonetheless be considered interesting not only for its architectural value but historical association with Piazza. The citadel fell into disuse primarily due to abandonment. The thesis aims re-use the disposed asset through an intervention aimed at the recovery of complex and at the same time revising the citadel of Mondovi for new functions of social utility. The functions which would be appropriate for neighborhood and thus compatible and sustainable. For the very reasons, it is fundamental to study the context and territory in which the building is located. Mondovi as city of art and culture is known for frescoes and baroque architecture by great artists/architects like Andrea Pozzo and Francesco Gallo. Paper mills, pasta factories, tower clocks, metal work, furnances and match factories were prevalent activities of its tradition. The place is known for progressive developments like the art of printing and ceramics. In order to revive the Mondovi’s early spirit for progressive developments in education and innovation, the reuse proposal incorporates paces for tech. entreprenuers, civic library, and schools for kids. In addition to this, tourist’s accomodations are added to encourage ourism to such little known areas. Last but not least, all these functions are binded with social utilities (like park, play area, schools, retail shops) so that ‘Citadel of Mondovi’ which has apparently become a void bereft of social life would become a social magnet, an architectural entity to revive the history of the place, source of economic development and cultural enhancement of neighborhood.