La Rocca Janula: conservazione della memoria, autenticità della materia e restauro

In the land of St. Benedict, on a steep outcrop on the southern slope of Monte Cassino, Abbot Aligernus had the castle of Rocca Janula built between 949 and 986. Erected as part of the growing encastellation process that had begun in this area in the mid-10th century, the imposing fortress watched over San Germano (present-day Cassino) and the Abbey. The castle was the culmination of a larger and more extensive defence system protecting the town of San Germano, which included a walled enclosure with high towers arranged at varying distances, depending on the orography and specific defensive needs. The fortress undoubtedly played an important strategic and functional role, both on account of its position and for political reasons. This importance led to numerous disputes over its possession, involving San Germano itself, popes, emperors and various lordships. Over the centuries, various events caused the castle to be partially destroyed and rebuilt. Finally, during the Second World War (1943-44), Rocca Janula was included in the German defence system of the Gustav Line and suffered heavy bombardment, resulting in severe damage. In the 21st century, at the behest of the Environmental and Architectural Heritage Superintendence of Lazio, it underwent extensive restoration work that allowed it to be reopened to the public in 2015. Following these interventions, which included the consolidation of the pre-existing masonry and the redevelopment and enhancement of the complex, extensive reorganisation and reconstruction was also carried out. After a careful examination of the work conducted, this study focuses on other similar cases in order to draw attention to various possible restoration alternatives, which, while starting from the same assumptions, could have different repercussions in terms of the conservation of the material, the appearance of the complex and, ultimately, the authenticity of the work.