Alle origini del restauro in architettura. Tradizione e innovazione nella ricostruzione degli edifici pubblici di Pompei dopo il terremoto del 62 d.C.

Over the last decade, the restoration practices of Antiquity have stimulated intense scholarly debate, prompting a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon in its technological, economic, ideological, and cultural dimensions. Within this discourse, the study of ancient architecture has gained renewed significance, as ancient buildings offer valuable insights into the relationship between past societies and their built heritage. In this framework, Pompeii stands out as a particularly revealing case: devastated in 62 CE by a major earthquake that severely damaged both public and private structures, the city presents an emblematic setting for investigating ancient restoration strategies. The monuments of the Forum, in particular, provide a unique opportunity to analyse the different methods employed during the rebuilding process. This paper will focus on two specific case studies that exemplify contrasting approaches to restoration, reflecting a broader tension between tradition and innovation. This contrast manifests in the dichotomy between efforts to preserve the formal and structural integrity of the original architecture – aimed at restoring buildings to their initial configuration – and more radical interventions that reimagined the structures aesthetically, adapting them to contemporary tastes through the use of new techniques and decorative styles.