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Renovation and enhancement of an identity building heritage: the Genoese towers of Corsica
Published on 12 April 2021
France
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The Genoese towers are a strong symbol of identity in Corsica. Designed in the 15th century by the Republic of Genoa, they guaranteed the surveillance and defense of the coasts against invaders. 500 years later, the weather and the damage suffered in the past mean that they are in a very bad state of degradation. With the aim of preserving and enhancing this heritage, the Collectivity of Corsica - owner of some of these towers - has decided to work on their restoration. It emerged that the renovation according to old know-how was the most conducive to good preservation over time. Thus, the renovation made it possible to give them back the same visual that our ancestors observed, by using the same practices and materials from the site. The enhancement of the site involves the development of the exterior and interior of the tower with a scenography of visit and the installation of informative supports (panels and screens) allowing to retrace the history of the tower and its environment. This promotion is also extended more broadly with the production of an animated film and an international promotion campaign implemented by the GRITACCESS project of the Interreg France-Italy program. Subsequently, the intention is to delegate the management of the site to the local municipality, in order to improve the reappropriation of the local heritage among its inhabitants.
Resources needed
The necessary resources consist primarily in ensuring that it is sufficient to carry out preliminary studies as well as local meetings with the inhabitants to raise awareness. Regarding the renovation, this varies greatly depending on the state of degradation.
Evidence of success
Given the health context, the visits have not yet been opened and we do not benefit from quantitative measures. Qualitatively, the result is positive: Despite the mixed feelings on the part of the population, who knew their tower with an appearance of stones and who discovered a tower coated entirely with lime, The interest of the preservation and transmission of this heritage to future generations prevailed.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice is very interesting for other regions. Beyond the Genoese towers, this practice responds efficiently to the problem of degradation and neglect of the building identity heritage: by taking into account the techniques and materials of the time, very often more effective than current ones, but also by the taking into account of the local context and the refocusing of management towards the local populations, the most able to perpetuate the site by their will of transmission to future generations.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Contact
Chargée des relations internationales et programmes européens