Resumen de L’antico castello di Alba: studi per la conservazione e la valorizzazionedi un sito archeologico
The former hospital S. Lazzaro of Alba (CN), built at the end of the eighteenth century, conceals in thebasement some remains of the ancient castle; a defensive structure used mainly as a military garrison. Thebuilding was created near the historical layout of the defensive walls of Alba Pompeia, already attested by the1st century B.C. and later transformed during the Middle Ages. The structure of the ancient castle, depictedin the drawing of Alba in Theatrum Sabaudiae (1682), has a regular plan, with a central courtyard and fourcircular towers at the corners. In the last two centuries, this portion of the old town, has undergone a radicalurban transformation, with changes in soil elevation, destruction of buildings and new reconstructions.These have contributed significantly to erasing the image of the castle that now has disappeared fromthe urban fabric. The extension of the hospital, through a long series of excavations, has brought outsome archaeological ruins known by the superintendency of cultural heritage but completely unknown tothe community. Starting three years ago, with the relocation of the hospital, the local authorities starteda redevelopment project of the area, with the re-functionalization of the historical parts of the hospitalstructure and the demolition and subsequent rebuilding of the structure built during the economic boomwithout any architectural interest. Therefore, in the light of the above, the contribution proposes a strategyof conservation and enhancement, that with a careful project could create a dedicated cultural path, tohighlight a significant historical milestone of the town, which remains relatively unknown general public.
