«...quei rocchi slegati e giacenti». Cesare Brandi e il restauro archeologico ieri e oggi

Critics have observed that a significant portion of Italian archaeology neither comprehended nor fully appreciated the revolutionary implications of Cesare Brandi's Theory of Restoration, particularly at an ideological level. Nonetheless, the Theory was gradually integrated, facilitated by the efforts of the ICR and the archaeologists associated with it, ultimately finding expression in the regulations outlined in the 1972 Restoration Charter and its annex concerning the safeguarding of antiquities. The theoretical discourse essential for the restoration and conservation of ancient heritage frequently proved inadequate among those archaeologists in charge of its protection. This contribution seeks to highlight how many of the challenges faced in the safeguarding of artifacts or archaeological contexts, both historically and contemporaneously, were already addressed by Cesare Brandi, not only in his theoretical writings but also through his travel experiences. These challenges include issues related to the reintegration of lacunae, the status of ruins, the legitimacy of their reconstruction, and the relationship between such heritage and its surrounding landscape context