Genova in trasformazione: demolizione e conservazione del tessuto urbano storico tra XIX e XX secolo

Between the second half of the 19th century and the Second World War, Genoa underwent significant transformatios that profoundly altered the configuration of its historic core. In response to episode of both isolated demolitions and large-scale destruction, initial protests proved ineffective. While the earliest cases resulted in the preservation of only fragments of frescoes or architectural details, over time, entire sections of buildings were saved. By the 1930s, this growing awareness culminated in the recognition of the city center as an archaeological area worthy of preservation. The essay retraces some emblematic events to reconstruct this process of awareness of the importance and historical value of the urban fabric.